Richard Chamberlain, the actor known for his roles in miniseries such as “The Thorn Birds” and “Shōgun,” died in Hawaii on Saturday following complications from a stroke, his representative said.
Chamberlain, 90, was most likely best known for his roles on the small screen, but he was a versatile actor who also graced Broadway stages and tried his hand at singing, as well.
Chamberlain is survived by his longtime partner, Martin Rabbett.
Before he began his decadeslong career in Hollywood, Chamberlain grew up in Beverly Hills, California, and had planned to be an artist. It wasn’t until he attended Pomona College that his interest in drama led him to consider acting as a career.
Chamberlain served in Korea with the Army upon graduation and returned to Los Angeles to study acting. He landed a series of guest roles, the first of which was in 1959 on the famed mystery series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
Chamberlain landed his breakout role in 1961, after a high school friend cast him as the title character on the show “Dr. Kildare.” The series ran from 1961 to 1966, led to Chamberlain's first Golden Globe and was nominated for five prime-time Emmy Awards.
Chamberlain had an illustrious career in television with his roles on acclaimed shows such as “The Thorn Birds,” “The Bourne Identity” and “Shōgun.” Chamberlain took home two Golden Globes for best actor for his work on “Shōgun” and “The Thorn Birds.”
But Chamberlain’s credits go beyond television. He starred in 1970s films such as “The Three Musketeers,” “Julius Caesar” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
A love of singing also drew Chamberlain into the world of musicals and stage acting. He originated the role of Jeff Claypool in the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” musical on Broadway.
Despite having name appeal with both Chamberlain and Mary Tyler Moore in the lead roles, the musical never officially opened.
Chamberlain’s stage career included roles in shows such as Tennessee Williams’ “The Night of the Iguana,” “My Fair Lady” and “The Sound of Music.”
Toward the end of his career, Chamberlain returned to television in a series of guest spots on popular shows. His IMDb profile shows credits for appearances on “Will & Grace,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Desperate Housewives” and the 2017 revival of “Twin Peaks.”