R.I.P. Richard Chamberlain ("Dr. Kildare", "Shogun", "Thorn Birds")

    Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
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    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% 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.
    Throughout his 30-year relationship with actor-director
    Rabbett, they had kept their private life secret.
    In his memoir, he recalled escorting glamorous actresses to
    premieres, explaining that he had been "desperately afraid" his
    sexuality would derail his career.
    "I used to get chased by hot teenage girls," he once told
    TV Guide. "I got 12,000 fan letters a week. And I felt somewhat
    besieged."
    Rabbett and Chamberlain separated in 2010 but remained close.
    Born on 31 March 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Chamberlain
    grew up on what he called "the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard"
    - far from the wealth of Hollywood's star-studded district.
    The younger of two boys, his father, Charles, was a salesman who
    struggled with alcoholism and became a prominent figure in
    Alcoholics Anonymous, travelling the world to speak at
    conventions. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker.
    He initially studied painting at Pomona College, but a student
    theatre performance inspired him to pursue acting.
    Interest from a Hollywood scout was put on hold as he was
    drafted into the US Army, where he rose to the rank of sergeant
    while stationed in South Korea.
    Upon returning to California, Chamberlain took acting classes,
    landing several small TV roles before his breakout role as
    Dr Kildare.
    Years later, Chamberlain recounted the psychological abuse he
    endured during his childhood.
    He described how his father's "lethal sneer" and emotionally
    abusive behaviour made him feel as if he were being "slashed with
    a machete".
    Chamberlain also spoke about the relief he experienced in finally
    not having to hide his sexuality later in life.
    <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v9xzw09z0o>