Richard Chamberlain, Dr Kildare and Shogun, died at the age of 90

Richard Chamberlain, the best known actor for his role in the medical drama of the 1960s, Dr Kildare and the main role in Shogun, died at the age of 90, confirmed his publicist at the BBC.

Chamberlain won the title “King of the Mini-Series” for his main roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds.

He died late on Saturday evening, local time (10:15 GMT on Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after having suffered complications from a stroke, confirmed his publicist Harlan Boll – a few hours before being 91 years old.

Martin Rabbett, longtime partner of Chamberlain, called him an “incredible and loving soul” in a declaration.

He said, “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and who hovers to these loved ones in front of us.”

Rabbett added: “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him at his next great adventure.”

Chamberlain’s big break occurred in 1961, when he became a familiar name as Dr. James Kildare in Dr Kildare.

The show, based on a series of popular films from the 1930s and 40s, attracted millions of viewers, transforming Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and an idol for adolescents.

The popularity of Dr Kildare Earn Chamberlain meant that, for three consecutive years between 1963 and 1965, he was appointed the most popular male star by Photoplay Magazine.

He became The king of the 1980s television mini-series, playing a Western prisoner in Shogun and a Catholic priest attempted by love in thorny birds.

The latter won 60% of the American television audience and won 16 nominations at Emmy.

Although widely recognized as a romantic leading man, Chamberlain’s private life has largely remained a mystery until later in his life.

He did not publicly approach his sexuality until the release of his memoirs, Shattered Love, in 2003, where he revealed that he was gay.

Throughout his 30-year relationship with actor-director Rabbett, they had kept their secret privacy.

In his memoirs, he remembers escorting glamorous actresses at the first, explaining that he was “desperately afraid” that his sexuality would derail his career.

“I used to be prosecuted by hot teenage girls,” he said on a guide TV once. “I received 12,000 fans per week. And I felt somewhat besieged.”

Rabbett and Chamberlain separated in 2010 but remained close.

Born March 31, 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Chamberlain grew up on what he called “the bad side of the Boulevard de Wilshire” – far from the richness of the star district of Hollywood.

The youngest of two boys, his father, Charles, was a seller who was fighting against alcoholism and became a leading figure in anonymous alcoholics, traveling the world to speak during conventions. His mother, Elsa, was a housewife.

He first studied painting at Pomona College, but a theatrical representation the student inspired him to continue the theater.

The interest of a Hollywood scout was suspended while he was drafted in the American army, where he reached the rank of sergeant when he was parked in South Korea.

Upon his return to California, Chamberlain took theater lessons, winning several small television roles before his role of escape as Dr Kildare.

Years later, Chamberlain told the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood.

He described how his father’s “deadly sneer” and emotionally abusive behavior gave him the impression of being “cut with a machete”.

Chamberlain also talked about the relief he knew in the fact of not having to hide his sexuality later in life.