Introduction to Richard Chamberlain
Richard Chamberlain is an American stage/film actor and singer. As an actor, Chamberlain is known for his roles in several TV mini series/movies such as Shogun and The Thorn Birds, as well as feature films such as The Towering Inferno and The Three Musketeers. Before being considered as a serious actor, he was once a teen idol in the early 1960s in particular. First and foremost an actor, Chamberlain also ventured into singing. He scored hit singles such as “Theme From Dr. Kildare”, and the covers of past hits “Love Me Tender” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” solidifying his teen idol status. All of those singles come from his most popular album to date, Richard Chamberlain Sings, debuted in 1962. It went to #5 on the Billboard 200 album chart during that year.
Early life and acting career
Richard Chamberlain is an actor and sometime singer. He was born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills, California on March 31, 1944.
He started his show business career by founding Company of Angels, a theatre group in Los Angeles. Chamberlain made his foray into television during the 1950s, and since then he had been doing numerous television and film appearances. Among his TV projects include included Riverboat, Rescue 8, Bourbon Street Beat, Gunsmoke and Thriller before Chamberlain landed on his starmaking role on the series Dr. Kildare. He played the title role, Dr. Kildare, which also gave him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Short but successful recording career — highlighted by the “Theme From Dr. Kildare”
Dr. Kildare, obviously, had a triumphant five-season run, from 1961 to 1966. The TV series also launched the fresh-faced, good-looking actor into popular teen idol.
The success of the TV series also enabled the actor to have a brief spell into recording, since he also possessed a pleasant singing voice. Chamberlain sang Dr. Kildare’s theme song called “Theme From Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight).” The song was written by Jerry Goldsmith, Pete Rugolo and Hal Winn. Released as a single in 1962, “Three Stars Will Shine Tonight” reached as high as #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on Billboard’s adult contemporary singles chart. It also did well on the British charts at #12.
Chamberlain’s debut LP, Richard Chamberlain Sings, also did spectacularly on the Billboard 200 album chart, reaching its peak position at #5 and #8 on the UK album chart. The album was accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra conducted by David Rose.
Since then Chamberlain had waxed out some few singles, notably his cover of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” (#21 pop, #7 adult contemporary, #15 UK), The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” (#14 pop, #6 adult contemporary), as well as minor hits such as “Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo,” Shelby Flint’s “I Will Love You,”Cole Porter’s “True Love,” Bacharach-David compositions “Blue Guitar” and “Rome Will Never Leave You,” which was his last charting single in 1964.
Continuing his acting career
Although Chamberlain’s recording career faded soon, he continued to star in many television and film projects. He enjoyed enormous success playing as a leading man in many films: The Music Lovers, Lady Caroline Lamb, The Three Musketeers, The Lady’s Not for Burning, The Towering Inferno and The Count of Monte Cristo. His television shows and series include Shogun and The Thorn Birds.
Since 1990 Chamberlain has appeared chiefly on TV and the stage. His TV credits include Will & Grace, Nip/Tuck and Desparate Housewives. He also starred in Broadway revivals such as The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady.