# Richard Chamberlain

George Richard Chamberlain (born March 31, 1934) is an American actor and singer who became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare (1961–1966). He subsequently appeared in several miniseries, such as Shōgun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983). Chamberlain has also performed classical stage roles and worked in musical theater.
He played the role of Aramis in the film trilogy The Three Musketeers (1973), The Four Musketeers (1974), and The Return of the Musketeers (1989); portrayed Allan Quatermain in both King Solomon's Mines (1985) and Lost City of Gold (1986); and was the first to play Jason Bourne in the 1988 television film The Bourne Identity.

## Early life

Chamberlain was born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, the second son of Elsa Winnifred (née von Benzon; later Matthews) and Charles Axion Chamberlain, who was a salesman. In 1952, Chamberlain graduated from Beverly Hills High School, and later attended Pomona College (class of 1956). Chamberlain was drafted into the United States Army, attaining the rank of sergeant while serving in Korea from 1956 to 1958.

## Career

Chamberlain co-founded a Los Angeles–based theater group, Company of Angels, and began appearing on television in guest roles in the early 1960s. In 1961, he gained widespread fame as the young intern Dr. James Kildare in the NBC/MGM television series of the same name, co-starring with Raymond Massey. Chamberlain's singing ability also led to some hit singles in the early 1960s, including the "Theme from Dr. Kildare", titled "Three Stars Will Shine Tonight", which struck No. 10 according to the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Dr. Kildare ended in 1966, after which Chamberlain began performing on the theater circuit. In 1966, he was cast opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the ill-fated Broadway musical Breakfast at Tiffany's, co-starring Priscilla Lopez, which, after an out-of-town tryout period, closed after only four previews. Decades later, he returned to Broadway in revivals of My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.
At the end of the 1960s, Chamberlain spent a period of time in England, where he played in repertory theater and in the BBC's Portrait of a Lady (1968), becoming recognized as a serious actor. The following year, he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in the film The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969). While in England, he took vocal coaching and in 1969 performed the title role in Hamlet for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, becoming the first American to play the role there since John Barrymore in 1925. He received excellent notices and reprised the role for television in 1970 for the Hallmark Hall of Fame. A recording of the presentation was released by RCA Red Seal Records and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In the 1970s, Chamberlain appeared in The Music Lovers (1970), Lady Caroline Lamb (playing Lord Byron; 1973), The Three Musketeers (1973) and its sequel The Four Musketeers (1974) playing Aramis, The Lady's Not for Burning (made for television, 1974), The Towering Inferno (1974), (in a villainous turn as a dishonest engineer), and The Count of Monte Cristo (1975). In The Slipper and the Rose (1976), a musical version of the Cinderella story, co-starring Gemma Craven, he displayed his vocal talents. A television film, William Bast's The Man in the Iron Mask (1977), followed. The same year, he starred in Peter Weir's film The Last Wave (1977).
Chamberlain later appeared in several popular television mini-series (earning him a nickname of "King of the Mini-Series"), including Centennial (1978–79), Shōgun (1980), and The Thorn Birds (1983), as Father Ralph de Bricassart with Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck co-starring. In the 1980s, he appeared as leading man, playing Allan Quatermain in King Solomon's Mines (1985) and its sequel Lost City of Gold (1986), and played Jason Bourne/David Webb in the television film version of The Bourne Identity (1988), and reprised the role of Aramis in the last of the trilogy The Return of the Musketeers (1989).
* Beverly Garland, Richard Chamberlain and Raymond Massey in the first episode of Dr. Kildare (1961)
* Richard Chamberlain (Dr. Kildare), Daniela Bianchi and Raymond Massey (Dr. Gillespie) from the television program Dr. Kildare in 1964
* Chamberlain and Mary Tyler Moore rehearsing Breakfast at Tiffany's in the mid-1960s
* Chamberlain and photographer Yoni S. Hamenachem on the set of King Solomon's Mines in Zimbabwe

### Since 1990

Since the 1990s, Chamberlain has appeared mainly in television films, on stage, and as a guest star on such series as The Drew Carey Show and Will & Grace. in 1991, he appeared in a TV movie version of Davis Grubb's The Night of the Hunter that received mixed reviews. He starred as Henry Higgins in the 1993–1994 Broadway revival of My Fair Lady. In the fall of 2005, Chamberlain appeared in the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Broadway National Tour of Scrooge: The Musical. In 2006, Chamberlain guest-starred in an episode of the British drama series Hustle, as well as season 4 of Nip/Tuck. In 2007, Chamberlain guest-starred as Glen Wingfield, Lynette Scavo's stepfather in episode 80 (Season 4, Episode 8, "Distant Past") of Desperate Housewives.
In 2008 and 2009, Chamberlain appeared as King Arthur in the national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot. In 2010 and 2012, he appeared as Archie Leach in season 3, episode 3 and season 4, episode 18 of the series Leverage, as well as two episodes of season 4 of Chuck where he played a villain known only as The Belgian. Chamberlain has also appeared in several episodes of Brothers & Sisters, playing an old friend and love-interest of Saul's. He also appeared in the independent film We Are the Hartmans in 2011. In 2012, Chamberlain appeared on stage in the Pasadena Playhouse as Dr. Sloper in the play The Heiress.
In 2017, Chamberlain appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return as Bill Kennedy.

## Personal life

Chamberlain was not open about his homosexuality for most of his career, to protect his privacy and his acting opportunities. He was outed by the French women's magazine Nous Deux in December 1989, but did not confirm it until his 2003 autobiography Shattered Love: A Memoir.
Chamberlain was involved romantically with actor Wesley Eure in the 1970s.
In 1977, Chamberlain began a long-term relationship with Martin Rabbett, an actor, like Eure, 20 years his junior. Rabbett played the brother of Chamberlain's lead character in the 1986 film Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold. They began living together in Hawaii in 1986 and had a private commitment ceremony. The couple split amicably in 2010, with Chamberlain moving to Los Angeles. In a 2014 interview, Chamberlain said that while he and Rabbett were no longer intimately involved, they remained close friends.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1960 | The Secret of the Purple Reef | Dean Christopher | |
| 1961 | A Thunder of Drums | Lieutenant Porter | |
| 1963 | Twilight of Honor | David Mitchell | |
| 1965 | Joy in the Morning | Carl Brown | |
| 1968 | Petulia | David Danner | |
| 1969 | The Madwoman of Chaillot | Roderick | |
| 1970 | Julius Caesar | Octavius | |
| 1970 | The Music Lovers | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | |
| 1972 | Lady Caroline Lamb | Lord Byron | |
| 1973 | The Three Musketeers | Aramis | |
| 1974 | The Towering Inferno | Roger Simmons | |
| 1974 | The Four Musketeers | Aramis | |
| 1975 | The Christmas Messenger | Christmas Messenger | Short film |
| 1976 | The Slipper and the Rose | Prince Edward | |
| 1977 | The Last Wave | David Burton | Nominated—AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role |
| 1978 | The Swarm | Dr. Hubbard | |
| 1982 | Murder by Phone | Nat Bridger | a.k.a. Bells |
| 1985 | King Solomon's Mines | Allan Quatermain | |
| 1986 | Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold | Allan Quatermain | |
| 1989 | The Return of the Musketeers | Aramis | |
| 1995 | Bird of Prey | Jonathan Griffith | |
| 1997 | A River Made to Drown In | Thaddeus MacKenzie | |
| 2004 | The Pavilion | Huddlestone | |
| 2006 | Strength and Honour | Denis O'Leary | |
| 2007 | I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry | Councilman Banks | |
| 2011 | The Perfect Family | Monsignor Murphy | |
| 2011 | We Are the Hartmans | Hartman | |
| 2015 | Justice League: Gods and Monsters | Highfather | Voice role |
| 2018 | Nightmare Cinema | Dr. Mirari | |

### Television films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1972 | The Woman I Love | King Edward VIII | |
| 1974 | The Lady's Not For Burning | Thomas Mendip | |
| 1974 | F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'The Last of the Belles' | F. Scott Fitzgerald | |
| 1975 | The Count of Monte Cristo | Edmond Dantes | Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Special Program – Drama or Comedy |
| 1977 | The Man in the Iron Mask | Philippe and Louis XIV | |
| 1983 | Cook and Peary: The Race to the Pole | Frederick Cook |
| 1983 | The Thorn Birds | Ralph de Bricassart | 4 episodes Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special |
| 1985 | Wallenberg: A Hero's Story | Raoul Wallenberg | Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special |
| 1986 | Dream West | John Charles Fremont | |
| 1987 | Casanova | Giacomo Casanova | |
| 1988 | The Bourne Identity | Jason Bourne / David Webb | Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television |
| 1991 | Aftermath: A Test of Love | Ross Colburn | |
| 1991 | Night of the Hunter | Harry Powell | |
| 1993 | Ordeal in the Arctic | Captain John Couch | |
| 1996 | The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years | Ralph de Bricassart | |
| 1997 | All the Winters That Have Been | Dane Corvin | |
| 1997 | The Lost Daughter | Andrew McCracken | |
| 1999 | Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke | Bernard Lafferty |
| 2006 | Blackbeard | Governor Charles Eden | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1959 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Clay Pine | Season 5 Episode 11: "Road Hog" |
| 1960 | Rescue 8 | — | Episode: "High Explosive" |
| 1960 | Bourbon Street Beat | Dale Wellington | Episode: "Target of Hate" |
| 1960 | Gunsmoke | Pete | Episode: "The Bobsy Twins" |
| 1960 | Mr. Lucky | Alec | Episode: "Operation Fortuna" |
| 1960 | Thriller | Larry Carter | Episode: "The Watcher" |
| 1960 | Riverboat | Lieutenant Dave Winslow | Episode: "Chicota Landing" |
| 1961 | The Deputy | Jerry | Episode: "Edge of Doubt" |
| 1961 | Whispering Smith | Chris Harrington | Episode: "Stain of Justice" |
| 1961–66 | Dr. Kildare | Dr. James Kildare | Title character Golden Globe Award for Best Television Star – Male |
| 1963 | The Eleventh Hour | Dr. James Kildare | Episode: "Four Feet in the Morning" |
| 1968 | The Portrait of a Lady | Ralph Touchett | Main cast |
| 1978–79 | Centennial | Alexander McKeag | Miniseries, main cast Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama |
| 1980 | Shōgun | John Blackthorne | Miniseries, main cast Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special |
| 1989–90 | Island Son | Dr. Daniel Kulani | Main cast |
| 2000 | Touched by an Angel | Everett / Jack Clay | Episode: "The Face on the Bar Room Floor" |
| 2002 | The Drew Carey Show | Maggie Wick | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Will & Grace | Clyde | Episode: "Steams Like Old Times" |
| 2006 | Hustle | James Whittaker Wright III | Episode: "Whittaker Our Way Out" |
| 2006 | Nip/Tuck | Arthur Stiles | Episode: "Blu Mondae" |
| 2007 | Desperate Housewives | Glen Wingfield | Episode: "Distant Past" |
| 2010 | Chuck | Adelbert De Smet | 2 episodes |
| 2010–11 | Brothers & Sisters | Jonathan Byrold | Recurring role (season 5) |
| 2010–12 | Leverage | Archie Leach | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | ThunderCats | Zigg | Episode: "Forest of Magi Oar", voice role |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks | Bill Kennedy | Episode: "Part Four" |

## Discography

From Richard Chamberlain Sings: UK No. 8
* "Theme from Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight)" (1962) – US #10; UK No. 12
* "Love Me Tender" (1962) – US #21; UK No. 15
* "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (1963) – US No. 14
* "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo" (1963) – US #64; UK No. 20
* "I Will Love You" (1963) – US No. 65
* "True Love" (1963) – US #98; UK No. 30

### From Twilight of Honor

* "Blue Guitar"/"They Long to Be Close to You" (1963) – US No. 42

### From Richard Chamberlain (aka Joy in the Morning)

* "Joy in the Morning" (1964)
* "Rome Will Never Leave You" (1964) – US No. 99

### From The Slipper and the Rose

* "Secret Kingdom" (1976)
* "He Danced With Me/She Danced With Me" (1976)
* "What a Comforting Thing to Know" (1976)
* "Why Can't I Be Two People?" (1976)
* "Bride-Finding Ball" (1976)

### From Haleakala: How Maui Snared The Sun/Clarinet Concerto

* "Haleakala: How Maui Snared The Sun (Tone Poem) (1991), composed by Dan Welcher, performed with the Honolulu Symphony"

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 1985 | Aftonbladet TV Prize | Best Foreign TV Personality – Male | — | Won |
| 1978 | Australian Film Institute Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | The Last Wave | Nominated |
| 1985 | Bravo Otto | Best Male TV Star | — | Won |
| 1977 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Play | The Night of the Iguana | Nominated |
| 1962 | Golden Apple Awards | Most Cooperative Actor | — | Won |
| 1963 | Golden Apple Awards | Most Cooperative Actor | — | Won |
| 1980 | Golden Apple Awards | Male Star of the Year | — | Won |
| 1962 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Television Star – Male | Dr. Kildare | Won |
| 1979 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Centennial | Nominated |
| 1980 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Shōgun | Won |
| 1983 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | The Thorn Birds | Won |
| 1985 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Wallenberg: A Hero's Story | Nominated |
| 1988 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | The Bourne Identity | Nominated |
| 1971 | Grammy Awards | Best Spoken Word Recording | Hamlet | Nominated |
| 2012 | Hawaii International Film Festival | EuroCinema Hawai'i Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2023 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Television Hall of Fame: Actors | — | Inducted |
| 1975 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Special Program – Drama or Comedy | The Count of Monte Cristo | Nominated |
| 1981 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special | Shōgun | Nominated |
| 1983 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special | The Thorn Birds | Nominated |
| 1985 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special | Wallenberg: A Hero's Story | Nominated |
| 1982 | Sitges Film Festival | Best Actor | The Last Wave | Won |
| 2011 | Steiger Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2003 | TV Land Awards | Classic TV Doctor of the Year | Dr. Kildare | Nominated |

## Published works

* Chamberlain, Richard (2003). Shattered Love: A Memoir. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-008743-9.