Richard Chamberlain, star of “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” dies at 90

Legendary tv actor Richard Chamberlain, often called the king of the miniseries for his roles in “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” has died on the age of 90, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to CBS Information.

The actor died Saturday, March 29, in Waimanalo, Hawai’i of problems following a stroke. He was two days shy of his 91st birthday.

“Our beloved Richard is with the angles now,” his longtime associate, Martin Rabbett, stated in an announcement. “He’s free and hovering to these family members earlier than us. How blessed have been we to have identified such an incredible and loving soul. Love by no means dies. And our love is underneath his wings lifting him to his subsequent nice journey.”

Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, he attended Beverly Hills Excessive and later Pomona School, the place he graduated with a level in artwork. After a two-year stint within the U.S. Military, stationed in Korea, Chamberlain launched his profession when he earned his first TV look as a visitor spot on Alfred Hitchcock “Presents.”

The position that put him on the map was the lead within the TV present “Dr. Kildare,” which earned Chamberlain the primary of three Golden Globes in his profession.

He went on to star in notable movies together with “Petulia,” The Three Musketeers,” “The Music Lovers,” and Peter Weir’s “The Final Wave.”

His forte, nevertheless, remained within the small display screen, the place he portrayed the likes of King Edward VIII, Octavius Caesar, and Scott Fitzgerald.

Chamberlain additionally had a short, but profitable, interval as a recording artist, largely romantic ballads, and was nominated for a Grammy.

On the stage, Chamberlain performed the title position in “Hamlet” for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in England. On Broadway, Chamberlain appeared in “My Truthful Woman” and “The Sound of Music.” Along with profitable excursions with “My Truthful Woman” and “The Sound of Music,” Chamberlain additionally performed King Arthur on the nationwide tour of the musical “Spamalot.”

Different TV and film appearances included “The Drew Carey Present,” “Nip/Tuck,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” “Brothers & Sisters” and “We’re the Hartmans.”

He earned the title of “King of the Miniseries” when he appeared in “Centennial,” “Shogun,” and “The Thorn Birds.”

In 2003, Chamberlain got here out as homosexual in his memoir, “Shattered Love,” saying “I can discuss it now as a result of I am not afraid anymore.”

“Once I grew up, being homosexual, being a sissy or something like that, was verboten,” he advised “Dateline.” “I disliked myself intensely and feared this a part of myself intensely and needed to disguise it.”

Aside from appearing and singing, ecological issues have been a topic near Chamberlain’s coronary heart. He had lobbied lengthy to save lots of the Tuolomne River, which originates in Yosemite Nationwide Park in California. His efforts helped to place the river underneath the Nationwide Wild and Scenic System, a laws that protects the river.

Funeral companies haven’t been introduced right now. As a substitute of flowers donations in his title are requested to both NPR or to Hawaii Humane Society.