Richard Chamberlain’s longtime partner, Martin Rabbett, has paid tribute to the actor following his passing at 90.
Chamberlain, famous for his roles in miniseries like Shōgun and The Thorn Birds, took his last breath on March 29 in Waimānalo, Hawaii, due to complications from a stroke.
Highlights
- Richard Chamberlain had no children of his own since he was struggling with his sexuality during the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
- Chamberlain also revealed that he spent countless years in therapy and explored different approaches to understand and accept his true self fully.
- Chamberlain and Rabbett had been together for 27 years during the 2000s and had lived on Oahu for more than a decade, where they were building a beach house.
He was just days away from turning 91 on March 31.
Richard Chamberlain On His Struggles With Sexuality And His Relationship With Martin Rabbett
People who fondly remember watching Shōgun with their fathers as children, Richard Chamberlain had no kids of his own as he was grappling with his sexuality during that time.
In a 2014 interview, Richard Chamberlain discussed the struggles he faced with his sexuality before coming out.
Despite being cast as a heartthrob in his early career, he revealed that nearly everyone in the industry knew he was gay.
He explained that growing up in:
the 30s, ’40s, and ’50s made it incredibly difficult to accept his sexuality. “Being gay during that time wasn’t just hard, it was nearly impossible. You couldn’t be open about it.”
Richard Chamberlain
Chamberlain also shared that he spent many years in therapy and tried various methods to come to terms with his true identity.
Back in 2003, in an interview with the New York Times, Richard Chamberlain discussed his role in the play The Stillborn Lover and openly addressed his relationship with Martin Rabbett for the first time.
During the conversation, Chamberlain explained that he preferred to keep his personal life private in the past, particularly in the ’60s and ’80s.
However, by the early 2000s, he felt more comfortable discussing his life honestly, as he no longer had any public persona to protect.
At the time of the interview, Chamberlain and Rabbett had been together for 27 years and had lived in Oahu for more than a decade, where they were building a beach house.
Rabbett, a writer and producer, was by Chamberlain’s side throughout his life.
In remembering his partner, he spoke of their deep love and connection.
He described how lucky they were to have known such a kind and loving person.
Additional Information
- Richard Chamberlain was the second son of Elsa Winnifred and Charles Axion “Chuck” Chamberlain, a salesman from Indiana.
- Chamberlain graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1952 and went to Pomona College, earning a degree in art history and painting in 1956.
- He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1956 to 1958, reaching the rank of sergeant while stationed in post-war Korea.
