Legendary Actor Richard Chamberlain Passes Away at 90

London: Richard Chamberlain (90), widely known for the 1960s TV series Dr. Kildare, has passed away. He suffered a heart attack on Saturday night at his residence in Waimanalo, Hawaii. His close associates confirmed that he had been dealing with age-related health issues. Tragically, his death occurred just hours before his 91st birthday.

Chamberlain earned the title King of the Mini-Series for his lead roles in Shōgun and The Thorn Birds. Born in 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, he gained immense popularity in 1961 for his portrayal of Dr. James Kildare in the TV series Dr. Kildare. His roles in Shōgun as a prisoner and The Thorn Birds as a Christian priest in the 1980s solidified his legendary status.

During its time, The Thorn Birds was watched by nearly 60% of American TV viewers, setting a record. The series also received 16 Emmy nominations. Chamberlain, who was openly gay, first revealed his sexuality at the age of 70 in his autobiography Shattered Love. He was in a 30-year relationship with actor-director Martin Rabbett, but the two parted ways in 2010.