1. George Richard Chamberlain was an American actor and singer who became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr Kildare.
23 Facts About Richard Chamberlain
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Richard Chamberlain subsequently earned the title "King of the Mini-Series" for his work in several TV miniseries such as Centennial, Shogun, and The Thorn Birds.
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Richard Chamberlain played the role of Aramis in the film trilogy The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, and The Return of the Musketeers ; portrayed Allan Quatermain in both King Solomon's Mines and Lost City of Gold ; and was the first actor to play Jason Bourne, starring in the 1988 television film The Bourne Identity.
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George Richard Chamberlain was born on March 31,1934, at the now-closed Angelus Hospital on Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, the second son of Elsa Winnifred and Charles Axion "Chuck" Chamberlain, who was a shop equipment salesman from Indiana.
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Richard Chamberlain had a brother William, who worked alongside their father in the family business.
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In 1952, Richard Chamberlain graduated from Beverly Hills High School, and later attended Pomona College where he received a bachelor's degree in art history and painting.
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Richard Chamberlain was drafted into the United States Army and served from 1956 to 1958.
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Richard Chamberlain attained the rank of sergeant while stationed in post-war Korea.
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Richard Chamberlain's singing ability led to some hit singles in the early 1960s, including the "Theme from Dr Kildare," which reached No 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.
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Dr Kildare ended in 1966, after which Richard Chamberlain began performing on the theater circuit.
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Richard Chamberlain received excellent notices and reprised the role for television in 1970 for the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
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Richard Chamberlain later appeared in several popular television mini-series, including Centennial, Shogun, and The Thorn Birds, as Father Ralph de Bricassart with Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck co-starring.
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In 2007, Richard Chamberlain guest-starred as Glen Wingfield, Lynette Scavo's stepfather in episode 80 of Desperate Housewives.
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In 2008 and 2009, Richard Chamberlain appeared as King Arthur in the national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot.
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Richard Chamberlain appeared in the independent film We Are the Hartmans in 2011.
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In 2012, Richard Chamberlain appeared on stage in the Pasadena Playhouse as Dr Sloper in the play The Heiress.
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In 2017, Richard Chamberlain appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return as Bill Kennedy.
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Richard Chamberlain was not open about his homosexuality for most of his career, to protect his privacy and his acting opportunities.
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Richard Chamberlain was outed as a gay man by the French women's magazine Nous Deux in December 1989, but did not confirm that he was gay until the publication of his 2003 autobiography Shattered Love: A Memoir.
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Richard Chamberlain was romantically involved with actor Wesley Eure in the 1970s.
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In 1977, Richard Chamberlain began a long-term relationship with actor and producer Martin Rabbett.
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The couple separated amicably in 2010, with Richard Chamberlain moving to Los Angeles.
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Richard Chamberlain died of complications from a stroke in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on March 29,2025, at age 90.