Richard Chamberlain Biography: Height, Age, Wife, Children, Books, Family, Movies & Tv Shows

Richard Chamberlain is a former actor and singer who rose to fame in the early 1960s as the lead character in the television series Dr. Kildare.

This role as a dedicated and compassionate young doctor turned him into a teenage idol and established his career in the entertainment industry.

Chamberlain continued to build his reputation through significant roles in popular miniseries such as Shogun and The Thorn Birds, and he was the first actor to portray Jason Bourne in the television adaptation of The Bourne Identity.

Profile

• Full name: George Richard Chamberlain
• Nickname: Richard Chamberlain
• Date of birth: March 31, 1934
• Age: 90 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Beverly Hills, California, USA
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, Singer
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch
• Parents: Elsa Winnifred Matthews, Charles Axiom Chamberlain
• Siblings: William Hayes Chamberlain
• Spouse: N/A (formerly in a relationship with Martin Rabbett)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: N/A
• Net worth: $25 million

Early Life and Education

Richard Chamberlain is now 90 years old, born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California. 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 and graduated in 1952. He later attended Pomona College, where he studied painting and art history, graduating in 1956.

Following college, Chamberlain served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea for 16 months.

Personal Life

Richard Chamberlain has been in a long-term relationship and struggles with his sexuality in Hollywood. He had a notable relationship with Wesley Eure in the early 1970s. In 1977, he met actor Martin Rabbett, with whom he shared a personal and professional partnership.

The couple moved to Hawaii and were together for nearly three decades before parting ways in 2010. Chamberlain came out publicly in his 2003 memoir, “Shattered Love,” discussing his experiences and challenges as a gay man in Hollywood.

Career

Chamberlain’s career took off with his role in Dr. Kildare, which aired from 1961 to 1966. This success led to various film roles, including Twilight of Honor and Joy in the Morning.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he became known as the “King of Miniseries” for his roles in Shogun, The Thorn Birds, and Centennial.

His portrayal of Jason Bourne in the 1988 television movie The Bourne Identity further cemented his status as a versatile actor. Chamberlain has also enjoyed a prolific stage career, appearing in Broadway productions such as My Fair Lady and Scrooge: The Musical.

Awards

• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for Dr. Kildare (1963)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film for Shogun (1981)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film for The Thorn Birds (1984)
• Clavell de Plata Award for Best Actor for The Last Wave (1977)
• Photoplay Award for Most Popular Male Star (1962, 1963, 1964)
• Golden Apple Award for Male Star of the Year (1980)

Net Worth

Richard Chamberlain’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million.

He accumulated wealth through a successful television, film, and theatre career, with notable roles in popular series and movies spanning several decades.

Controversy

Throughout his career, Richard Chamberlain faced significant personal and professional challenges, particularly related to his sexuality.

For many years, he kept his homosexuality a secret due to the prevailing attitudes in Hollywood and fear of losing his career. This secrecy led to personal anguish and impacted his relationships.

In his 2003 memoir “Shattered Love,” Chamberlain candidly discussed his struggles with his identity and the pressure to conform to Hollywood’s expectations.

Despite these challenges, he continued to work and maintain his reputation as a talented actor.

Chamberlain’s long-term relationship with Martin Rabbett was also a subject of public interest. They lived together in Hawaii for nearly 30 years, maintaining a private life away from the media’s scrutiny.

Their eventual breakup in 2010 drew attention, highlighting the difficulties faced by same-sex couples in the public eye.

Chamberlain’s decision to come out later in life was seen as a courageous move, contributing to the broader conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the entertainment industry.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• The Secret of the Purple Reef (1960)
• A Thunder of Drums (1961)
• Twilight of Honor (1963)
• Joy in the Morning (1965)
• Petulia (1968)
• Julius Caesar (1970)
• The Music Lovers (1970)
• Lady Caroline Lamb (1972)
• The Three Musketeers (1973)
• The Towering Inferno (1974)
• The Count of Monte Cristo (1975)
• The Slipper and the Rose (1976)
• The Last Wave (1977)
• The Swarm (1978)
• Centennial (1978-1979)
• Shogun (1980)

Discography

• Richard Chamberlain Sings (1962)
• Joy in the Morning (1964)
• Twilight of Honor (1963)
• Three Stars Will Shine Tonight (1962)
• Richard Chamberlain Sings the Hits (1966)

Books

• Shattered Love: A Memoir (2003)