Richard Chamberlain, TV icon and beloved “Dr. Kildare,” has passed away at 90. He died on March 29 in Waimānalo, Hawaii, just days before his 91st birthday, due to complications from a stroke.
Chamberlain rose to fame in the 1960s and became a heartthrob in roles like Dr. Kildare and Father Ralph in The Thorn Birds. Despite his success, he battled deep self-loathing from childhood and spent years hiding his sexuality. In his 2003 memoir Shattered Love, he came out as gay at age 69, revealing the pain of growing up closeted in an unforgiving era.
He spent years in therapy and embraced spiritual healing. While he never regretted staying closeted for his career’s sake, he later admitted he might have been happier living freely.
Chamberlain had long-term relationships with actors Wesley Eure and Martin Rabbett. He and Rabbett shared a home in Hawaii, and though they separated in 2010, they remained close. Before Chamberlain’s death, they had reportedly resumed living together.
In one of his final interviews in 2024, Chamberlain reflected on his choices with grace. Rabbett, his longtime partner and only immediate survivor, called him “an amazing and loving soul.”
His final public appearance was in 2023, where he looked happy and relaxed at a theater in Honolulu. Fans remembered him as gracious, unpretentious, and full of warmth.
Even in his final days, Chamberlain remained a symbol of strength, charm, and authenticity.