Richard Chamberlain is a former actor and singer who rose to fame in the early 1960s as the title character in the television series Doctor Kildare.
This role of a dedicated and compassionate young doctor made him a teen idol and established his career in the entertainment industry.
Chamberlain continued to build his reputation through notable roles in the hit miniseries The General and The Thorn Birds, and he was also the first actor to play Jason Bourne in the television series The Bourne Supremacy.
contour
- Full name: George Richard Chamberlain
- Nickname: Richard Chamberlain
- Date of birth: March 31, 1934
- Age: 90
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Beverly Hills, California, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Actor, singer
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch
- Parents: Elsa Winnifred Matthews, Charles Axiom Chamberlain
- Siblings: William Hayes Chamberlain
- Spouse: None (formerly in a relationship with Martin Rabbett)
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Religion: None
- Race: N/A
- Net worth: $25 million
Early life and education
Richard Chamberlain, 90, was born in Beverly Hills, California, on March 31, 1934. He grew up with his older brother, William Hayes Chamberlain.
His father, Charles Axiom Chamberlain, was a salesman, and his mother, Elsa Winnifred Matthews, was an actress and singer.
Chamberlain attended Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1952. He then attended Pomona College, where he studied painting and art history, graduating in 1956.
After graduating from college, Chamberlain joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea for 16 months.
Personal life
Richard Chamberlain was in a long relationship in Hollywood but struggled with his sexuality. In the early 1970s he had a famous affair with Wesley Eure. In 1977 he met actor Martin Rabbett, with whom he developed a personal and professional partnership.
The couple moved to Hawaii and lived together for nearly three decades until they separated in 2010. Chamberlain came out as gay in his 2003 memoir, Broken Love, in which he discussed the challenges of being a gay man in Hollywood.
Profession
Chamberlain’s career took off with his role in Doctor Kildare, which aired from 1961 to 1966. This success led to several film roles, including Dusk of Glory and Joy of the Morning.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he became known as the “King of the Miniseries” for his roles in Shogun, The Thorn Birds and Centennial.
Chamberlain’s role as Jason Bourne in the 1988 television film The Bourne Supremacy further solidified his status as a versatile actor. Chamberlain also had a prolific stage career, appearing in such Broadway musicals as My Fair Lady and A Christmas Carol.
Awards
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama (Doctor Kildare) (1963)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Movie The General (1981)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Movie The Thorn Birds (1984)
- Clavier de Plata Award for Best Actor for The Last Wave (1977)
- Best Actor Award in a Film (1962, 1963, 1964)
- Golden Apple Award for Best Male Star of the Year (1980)
net worth
Richard Chamberlain’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million.
He amassed his wealth through a successful television, film and theatre career, playing key roles in decades of hit TV series and films.
dispute
Throughout his career, Richard Chamberlain faced significant personal and professional challenges, particularly those related to his sexual orientation.
For years, he hid his homosexuality because of Hollywood’s prevailing attitudes and fear of losing his career, a concealment that caused him personal pain and affected his relationships.
In his 2003 memoir, Broken Love, Chamberlain candidly discussed his struggles with his identity and the pressure to conform to Hollywood expectations.
Despite these challenges, he continued to work hard and maintained his reputation as a talented actor.
Chamberlain’s long-term relationship with Martin Labbet was also in the spotlight. They lived together in Hawaii for nearly 30 years, leading a private life away from media attention.
Their eventual breakup in 2010 drew public attention and highlighted the difficulties same-sex couples face in the public eye.
Chamberlain’s decision to come out late in life was seen as a courageous move that contributed to the wider conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the entertainment industry.
Social Media
- Instagram: No
- Twitter: No
Filmography
- The Secret of the Purple Reef (1960)
- The Thunder of Drums (1961)
- Twilight of Honor (1963)
- Joy in the Morning (1965)
- Petulia (1968)
- Julius Caesar (1970)
- The Music Lover (1970)
- Dame Caroline Lamb (1972)
- The Three Musketeers (1973)
- Skyscraper Burning(1974)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (1975)
- The Crystal Slipper and the Rose (1976)
- The Last Wave (1977)
- The Swarm (1978)
- Centennial (1978-1979)
- The General (1980)
Discography
- Richard Chamberlain (1962)
- Joy in the Morning (1964)
- Twilight of Honor (1963)
- Three Stars Shine Tonight (1962)
- Richard Chamberlain Sings the Hits (1966)
books
- A Broken Love: A Memoir (2003)
