Richard Chamberlain

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Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Richard Chamberlain rose to fame in the 1960s as the idealistic, smoothly handsome “Dr. Kildare” on the television series of the same name, a long-running portrayal that brought him legions of adoring, often youthful fans.

During his long, successful career, Chamberlain has played a wide variety of roles, starring in film and theater productions as well as on television. But it is on the small screen that he gained his major renown, first as Dr. James Kildare, a young doctor learning the medical ropes, and later as the star of epic, hugely popular television productions of the 1980s.

In “Shogun,” a 12-hour, 1980 dramatization of novelist James Clavell’s bestseller, Chamberlain played Jack Blackthorne, the English pilot of a Dutch ship wrecked off the coast of Japan. Three years later, he starred as Father Ralph de Bricassart, the conflicted, charismatic priest at the heart of the romantic saga “The Thorn Birds,” based on Colleen McCullough’s bestseller. Both portrayals earned him Emmy nominations and Golden Globe awards.

On the stage, Chamberlain earned critical acclaim in “Hamlet” and “Richard II,” among other performances. His films include “Petulia,” “The Three Musketeers,” “The Towering Inferno” and “The Last Wave,” a Peter Weir film that became a cult favorite.

Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, Chamberlain became interested in acting while attending Pomona College in Claremont. He launched his career after military service in Korea.

After decades of evading questions from interviewers about his personal life, the actor disclosed in a 2003 memoir, “Shattered Love,” that he was gay. He has lived primarily in Hawaii for most of the last 25 years, but moved back to Los Angeles in 2009.

— Rebecca Trounson for the Los Angeles Times July 8, 2010

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10 thoughts about Richard Chamberlain

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In answer to the question, have you ever met Richard Chamberlain?

I've met Richard Chamberlain many times, but I'd love to share our FIRST meeting. I must first say that Richard Chamberlain is very receptive to his fans and takes time to make us all feel appreciated. It is not unusual for him to answer letters, charmingly handwritten. After exchanging several nice letters, we finally met at a book-signing in San Francisco. I wore a name tag and sat in the front row. As Richard spoke to his audience, his eyes caught my name tag and he stopped mid-sentence. He leaned over his table and exclaimed, ";Hi!" He had remembered my name. Not only had he remembered my name, but he remembered what we had written about - months earlier. Only a single fan out of many, he made me feel special that day. He lingered with us long after the book-signing had ended and obliged his faithfuls with photos, autographs, and spirited conversation.

There have been many meetings since, and Richard Chamberlain has never disappointed. Kind and caring, thoughtful and patient, always sweet and always accommodating. At 75 (almost 76 years of age), he is still loved and cherished around the globe.

Jacque Rohan

” — Jacque Rohan, March 8, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.

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