Richard Chamberlain, who came to prominence in the 1960s medical series “Dr. Kildare” and then became king of the miniseries with such ratings blockbusters as “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” has died. He was 90. The last time we could see him on public happened two years ago.

During a March 2023 outing, Richard Chamberlain showed off how youthful he was at age 89. However, only a few people know that the actor, who made women across the country swoon as he played his dreamy role in the 1960s “Dr. Kildare” and was a hunk as Father Ralph in the 1980s “The Thorn Birds, came out as gay at almost 70 years.

In 2004, the star was asked about leading a double life, and he admitted that he hated himself and hid as a child. When he found fame, he was happy and excited to be working; he loved being famous, acting, and the challenges of taking on different roles.

Rachel Ward and Richard Chamberlain on “The Thorn Birds” on March 27, 1983 | Source: Getty Images

However, a part of him was frightened, inhibited, and disapproving. Luckily, as closeted as he was, he could date because he found people who were tolerant of that side of him, including his partner of 38 years in 2023, Martin Rabbett.

Richard Chamberlain posing for a photo circa 1960 | Source: Getty Images

Sadly, most of the time, the actor loved his career more than he loved Rabbett because he felt he couldn’t have existed without it. Chamberlain finally came out on “Dateline” and described it as the “happiest day of my life.”

Rachel Ward and Richard Chamberlain on “The Thorn Birds” on March 27, 1983 | Source: Getty Images

A part of him was shocked that he was coming out on national television, but it was a fantastic experience. He and Rabbett met while he was working on a play in Los Angeles, and when the production continued elsewhere, they started dating despite the writer being in a relationship.

Richard Chamberlain, Neil Patrick Harris, and Martin Rabbett pose backstage at “Hedwig and The Angry Inch” on Broadway on May 27, 2014, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

The actor’s partner was 19 years younger but older than him in many ways. Chamberlain said he and Rabbett had an astounding deep soul relationship, and that’s when love was possible when there weren’t any expectations.

Richard Chamberlain in the television series “Dr. Kildare,” circa 1965 | Source: Getty Images

Although he was initially afraid to come out as gay, partly because he worried about how that would affect his successful career based on a lie, Chamberlain was still thriving. Fans saw what the “Awakening World” star looked like in 2023.

How Did Richard Look at 89?

On March 19, 2023, Ira Wong, a music educator, shared two Facebook images of him posing alongside Chamberlain at the Manoa Valley Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii. The “Echoes of The Past” actor wore a black sweatsuit set and gray sneakers in the photo.