Richard Chamberlain, the actor best known for his role in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and leading role in Shogun, has died aged 90, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC.
Chamberlain earned the title “king of the mini-series” for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds.
He died late on Saturday night local time (10:15 GMT Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after suffering complications from a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed – just hours before he would have turned 91.
Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, called him an “amazing and loving soul” in a statement.
He said: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us.”
Rabbett added: “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.”
Chamberlain’s big break came in 1961, when he became a household name as Dr James Kildare in Dr Kildare.
The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, attracted millions of viewers, turning Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and a teen idol.
The popularity Dr Kildare earnt Chamberlain meant that, for three consecutive years between 1963 and 1965, he was named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine.
He went on to become the king of the 1980s TV mini-series, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds.
The latter won 60 per cent of the US television audience and earned 16 Emmy nominations.
Though widely recognised as a romantic leading man, Chamberlain’s private life remained largely a mystery until later in his life.
He did not publicly address his sexuality until the release of his memoir, Shattered Love, in 2003, where he revealed that he was gay. (BBC)
