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Richard Chamberlain, who turns 88 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 88 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.)
Gloria Harrison says:
It must have been very difficult for Richard keeping his secret , so big deal he is gay I loved him as an actor and a good human being . He didn’t ask to be gay , it happened but he is still the same person we watched on screen , and has every right to be happy with a partner or without , his choice . I have a son that was gay and I loved him with all of my heart. He has since passed with aides . my heart aches for him every day .he was a very classy
man .
So God Bless you Richard get out there and enjoy your life my dear you deserve it .
Love Gloria
Helen Walker says:
I fell in love with Richard in 1983 when he was Father Ralph. He was a drop dead gorgeous man and excellent actor. I’m still watching The Thorn Birds when I need my Richard Chamberlain fix. His being gay meant nothing to me. He was a compassionate man and I am so sad he has passed away! RIP a truly good soul!