MOVIE NEWS – Legendary actor Richard Chamberlain passed away at 90 at his home in Hawaii. According to reports, his death was due to complications following a stroke. Known for starring in Dr. Kildare, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds, he was a central figure of the golden age of television and a versatile artist in film, music, and theater.
Born on March 31, 1934, in Los Angeles, Chamberlain studied art at Pomona College before serving in the Korean War for two years. After returning, he began studying acting, launching a career that soared in the 1960s with his lead role in the TV series Dr. Kildare, which earned him international fame.
A Television Icon
Variety described him as “a tall, handsome actor with effortless charm who quickly became a teen idol.” He later starred in acclaimed miniseries such as Shōgun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983), the latter earning him a Golden Globe Award. His film credits include Petulia, The Towering Inferno, The Three Musketeers and its sequels, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Last Wave.
The Original Jason Bourne
Chamberlain was the first actor to portray Jason Bourne in the 1988 television adaptation of The Bourne Identity. He also played roles such as King Henry VIII, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Raoul Wallenberg in various productions. His talents extended to singing, with two solo albums and a Broadway appearance as Henry Higgins in a 1993 revival of My Fair Lady.
A Quiet Life in Hawaii
He spent some years in the UK performing in theater, before moving to Hawaii in the late 1980s. There, he focused on painting and lived in relative seclusion. He eventually returned to Los Angeles, where he remained until his peaceful passing. Chamberlain was one of the last great legends of classic Hollywood television.
Leave a Reply