Tribute 77: Richard Chamberlain

In our latest tribute, Janet, John, (and Pen) celebrate the life and career of the wonderful singer, actor, television heartthrob, and queer icon because of his heart-touching memoir, Shattered Love... Richard Chamberlain! Born in Beverly Hills in 1934, this American heartthrob didn't start off with an amazing childhood. In fact, even though he was a track star, earning four letters in both high school and college, he recounts his childhood as an unhappy one. Citing that he often struggled in school. Additionally, even with a 60-year-long future career in Hollywood, this actor did not orginally have acting on the brain. It wasn't until he started studying at Pumona College did he discover acting and his deep love for the craft. He, however, wasn't able to pursue this love until after his 16 month stay in Korea after he was drafted into the Army in 1956. After some minor stage experiences, he became a teen idol on the show Dr. Kildare (1961-66), playing the titular character of the same name. He went on to earn the name, "King of the Mini-Series," with his work in Centennial (1978), Shōgun (1980), and The Thorn Birds (1983). He also starred and worked in many films such as, The Three Musketeers (1973), The Four Musketeers (1974), and The Return of the Musketeers (1989), King Solomon's Mines (1985) and Lost City of Gold (1986), The Bourne Identity (1988), and The Last Wave (1977), some of these he would earn an award nomination for. He also go onto win a Golden Apple Award for Best Male Star in 1980. To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema Sounds & Secrets website!