Richard Chamberlain’s “life long partner” and best friend, Martin Rabbett, is paying tribute to the late actor following his death at the age of 90.
Chamberlain, who starred in miniseries like “Shōgun” in 1980 and “The Thorn Birds” in 1983, died on Saturday, March 29, his representative, Harlan Boll, confirmed in a statement.
Boll shared that Chamberlain died in Waimānalo, Hawaii, of complications after suffering a stroke. Chamberlain would have celebrated his 91st birthday on March 31.
Chamberlain is survived by Rabbett, his “life long partner and best friend,” whom he remained close to until his death, Boll said.
In a statement celebrating Chamberlain’s life, Rabbett, a writer and producer, said, “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul.”
He added, “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.”
Read on to learn more about Chamberlain and Rabbett’s relationship, below.
They were together for over 30 years
In addition to his many roles in different movies and shows, Chamberlain also showed off his acting chops on the stage, appearing in multiple plays throughout his career. In 2003, he spoke to the New York Times about starring in a play called “The Stillborn Lover” and opened up about his relationship with Rabbett in the interview.
Chamberlain explained that in the ’60s and ’80s, he didn’t like to discuss his personal life. But he was more willing to speak candidly in the early 2000s because he had “no image to defend.”
“I played a cat-and-mouse game with the press,” he said, referring to his efforts to not speak about his sexuality.
“Game over,” he added.
The publication reported at the time that Chamberlain and Rabbett had been together for 27 years. They had lived in Oahu for over a decade and were building a beach house at the time.
Rabbett was quoted in the article, as well, marking the first time he and Chamberlain gave an interview as a couple, according to the New York Times.
During the sit-down, Rabbett told Chamberlain, “‘You’re lighter, freer now. You’ve lifted many, many veils.’”
Rabbett assisted in editing Chamberlain’s 2003 memoir “Shattered Love,” which was released prior to the interview. The “Dr. Kildare” star opened up about his sexuality in the book, and fans responded to the memoir with supportive messages. Rabbett recalled reading one letter that said, “We always knew you were there.”
He added, “That really touched me.”
They stayed friends after they stopped living together
Over 10 years later, the New York Times caught up with Chamberlain again and he shared an update about his relationship with Rabbett.
He told the newspaper in November 2014 that he and Rabbett had lived in Hawaii as partners for more than three decades, until Chamberlain relocated to Los Angeles.
“We don’t live together anymore, and we’re much better friends than we’ve ever been,” Chamberlain said about Rabbett at the time. “So I’m in the business of advising people who are married, etc., to get another house.”
In an obituary for Chamberlain published March 30, the New York Times reported, “Mr. Boll said that before his death Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Rabbett had resumed living together in Hawaii.”
In the 2014 interview, Chamberlain also reflected on how he had struggled with his sexuality before coming out.
Despite “being a hetero heartthrob” early in his career, “practically everyone in the business” had known he was gay, he said.
“When you grow up in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s being gay, it not only ain’t easy, it’s just impossible,” he shared. “You cannot do it.”
Chamberlain shared that he spent years in therapy and engaged in other practices to help him with his identity.
