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Richard Chamberlain, who turns 87 today, was closeted gay man at peak of his fame – but no more!
Hard to believe but Richard Chamberlain, the great star of The Thorn Birds, Shogun and Dr. Kildare, turns 87 today.
He was pretty much off my radar as a kid until I saw a scene in Thorn Birds where he was dancing (it was the same party where Barbara Stanwyck kissed him on the lips then died) and he was just so HOT!
From then on, I watched everything he ever did.
He came out as a gay man in 2003 and wrote about it in his memoir Shattered Love: “When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten. I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it and became “Perfect Richard, All-American Boy” as a place to hide.”
He continued to be busy in roles both straight and gay – including in recent years playing Felicity Huffman’s gay stepfather on Desperate Housewives and Uncle Saul’s love interest on Brothers & Sisters.
Later films include Forbidden Love, The Perfect Family and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Bruce Wayne says:
In 1962ish, I lost my wallet at school. At the lost and found, it was about to be handed to me, until a snooty bitch stopped the woman, asking me who my favorite actor was.
She wanted me to ‘prove’ that it was My wallet, by the Photograph in it. I said, ‘Richard Chamberlain’ and was given my wallet….the one that Came With That Picture In It! 🙂
Many years later….I was working in The Biz, walked onto a stage at Warner Bros Studio to visit my cousin…not 10 feet away from me sat Barbara Stanwyck, chatting with someone! It was a set of Thornbirds!!
I like my life!
🙂
Iris Sanchez-Ortiz says:
I was in his fan club and got a picture signed by him…I was a kid and so in love with him…he was so cute to me…lol am glade to hear he is still alive…thank you Richard for the great picture you send me…I used to live in Brooklyn and he kept me in line not to be a bad kid lol….thank you
Noreen DiDonato says:
Yes, Richard, I’ve been a fan since I watched you in Dr Kildare. You were gorgeous and you still are. Wishing you the best.
nancy jean fitzsimonds says:
I REALY LOVED RICHARD FOR YEARS!! mY GRANDAUGHTER GOT TO GO TO HOLLYWOOD & SHE FOUND HIS NAME ON THE HOLLYWOOD walK OF fAME!! tHANK YOU,nANCY FROM NJ.i WAS IN ny & ENT TO A PLAY & THE VERY NIGHT i WAS GOING W/MY GRAMA RICHARD WAS REEPLACED BY AN ACTOR NAMED PATRICK O’NEIL.HE & HIS BROTHER OWNED A RESTAURANT IN MANHATTEN.nEVER GOT TO SEE MY FOREVER CRUSH!
Diane Eslinger says:
Richard has been a favourite for years! I’ve always put faces to characters whenever I read, I had read The Thorn Birds when it first came out and couldn’t put faces to any of the characters. Read it again after seeing the mini series. Went back and read it again and finally had faces and scenes to picture as I read. Richard Chamberlain as Father Ralph made the book so much more enjoyable along with the other actors……also have a 33rpm album with Richard Chamberlain as Hamlet…..good way to introduce yourself to Shakespeare listening to it on vinyl….not sure if it’s even available anymore……wishing you the best for your birthday and hope you have many more
Gerry says:
Always loved Richard, the best actor of the century. If left up to me, we’d still be on Matlock Island! lol
Gina Y Smith says:
Richard we loved watching you in Shogun. It was so educational for the family to learn about Japanese culture. As Buddhist in San Francisco growing up a bit isolated we got validation from the show. Then later in my life I found you on many shows and movies and it was like seeing an old friend and we cheered and routed for you. Happy happy Birthday! belated. Just saw you in Cinderella The slipper and the Rose great adaptation. Peace and blessings.
Gina
Nancy L. Wickersham says:
Did Richard Chamberlain do all his own horse riding in Thorn Birds and other films he starred in?
Ralph Law says:
I always enjoyed Richard in all the parts he played. He did better things but “Thornbirds” was special because so many of us can relate to acting out a part or performing a role in life to fit how others wanted us to be.
In many ways, I always felt Richard had a demeanor similar to Gregory Peck.
Jack Townsend says:
Get this: Richard was 49 when he shot the series. Did he look 49? I know men that are already grandfathers at that age. He didn’t look a day past 38 or so to me. What a guy!