Richard Chamberlain was best known for his roles in Shogun and 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare.

Richard Chamberlain has died aged 90

Richard Chamberlain has died aged 90 (Image: Getty)

Richard Chamberlain has died aged 90, his publicist has confirmed. The late actor was best known for his role in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and leading role in Shogun. According to the BBC, publicist Harlan Boll confirmed that Richard died late on Saturday night local time (10:15 GMT Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after suffering complications from a stroke. He was just hours away from his 91st birthday.

Chamberlain’s longtime partner, Martin Rabbett, paid tribute to the legendary actor, calling him an “amazing and loving soul”. In a statement, he said: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.” Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, called him an “amazing and loving soul” in a statement. He said: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.”

Premiere Of Showtime's "Twin Peaks

Tributes have poured in for the actor Richard Chamberlain (Image: Getty)

Tributes flooded in from fans on social media from celebrity pals and fans alike as William Shatner penned: “Condolences to the family of Richard Chamberlain. He was such a dedicated and wonderful actor.”

Another tweeted: “Richard Chamberlain has left us at the age of 90. It’s National Doctor Day. Fine actors know it’s all about timing. Rest in Peace.”

A third wrote: “Richard Chamberlain, handsome star of stage, film and TV, has died aged 90. What a life! Thanks especially for: The Thorn Birds, Dr. Kildare, Shogun, The ‘Musketeers’ films, The Towering Inferno, The Slipper and the Rose, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask.”

Chamberlain was born on March 31 1934, in Beverly Hills, California.

Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare

Richard Chamberlain starred as Dr Kildare (Image: Getty)

Shogun

Richard Chamberlain when he starred in Shogun (Image: Getty)

His big break came in 1961, when he became a household name as Dr James Kildare in Dr Kildare.

The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, drew millions of viewers and made him a beloved figure.

He became king of the 1980s TV mini-series, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds.

Chamberlain was nominated for Emmys for his roles in two mini-series – Shogun (1981) and The Thorn Birds (1983).

He was also nominated for Emmys for his roles in the 1985 movie Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story and the title role in the 1975 movie The Count of Monte-Cristo.

Most of his roles were as romantic leading men, which is why he did not publicly reveal he was gay until he was 68 years old.

He feared it would ruin his career and so for much of his life he said he pretended to be someone else.

“When you grow up in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s being gay, it’s not only ain’t easy, it’s just impossible,” he told the New York Times in 2014.

“I assumed there was something terribly wrong with me. And even becoming famous and all that, it was still there.”

The actor had a three-decade relationship with actor and writer Martin Rabbett, his co-star in the 1986 adventure film “Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold”.

The couple parted in 2010 but remained close friends.