What Is Richard Chamberlain's Net Worth?
Richard Chamberlain is an acclaimed American actor and singer with a net worth of $25 million. He garnered fame for his role as Dr. James Kildare on the NBC medical drama "Dr. Kildare" (1961–1966). Richard boasts over 80 acting credits, including notable films like "Julius Caesar" (1970), "The Three Musketeers" (1973), and "The Towering Inferno" (1974). His television acclaim includes miniseries such as "Centennial" (1978–1979) and "The Thorn Birds" (1983), as well as the TV movies "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1975), "Wallenberg: A Hero's Story" (1985), and "The Bourne Identity" (1988).
Early Life
Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, Richard is the son of Elsa Winnifred Benzon and salesman Charles Axion Chamberlain. Growing up with an older brother named Bill, Richard graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1952 and later earned a degree from Pomona College in 1956. His service in the U.S. Army in Korea lasted 16 months, where he rose to the rank of sergeant.
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Career
In 1959, Richard co-founded the Los Angeles theatre group Company of Angels and debuted on TV in Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He guest-starred on numerous shows such as "Gunsmoke" and "Rescue 8" and starred in the 1960 film "The Secret of the Purple Reef." Chamberlain's role in "Dr. Kildare" from 1961 to 1966 cemented his fame, with the show's theme song reaching #10 on the "Billboard" Hot 100. His subsequent works include roles in "The Towering Inferno" (1974), and the TV movies "The Lady's Not For Burning" (1974) and "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1977). From 1978 to 1979, he portrayed Alexander McKeag in "Centennial," earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
In 1980, Richard starred in "Shōgun" and appeared in movies like "Murder by Phone" (1982) and "King Solomon's Mines" (1985). He earned Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations for "The Thorn Birds" (1983) and won a Golden Globe for the same. He portrayed Jason Bourne in the 1988 film "The Bourne Identity" and played Dr. Daniel Kulani on "Island Son" (1989–1990). The '90s saw him in films like "Bird of Prey" (1995) and the miniseries "The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years" (1996).
Richard continued to guest-star in popular TV series like "Will & Grace" (2005), "Leverage" (2010; 2012), and "Twin Peaks: The Return" (2017). He played key roles in national tours of "Scrooge: The Musical" (2005) and "Spamalot" (2008–2009). Chamberlain's later film works include "We Are the Hartmans" (2011) and "Finding Julia" (2019). He co-starred with Adam Sandler and Kevin James in the box office hit "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" (2007) and had a recurring role on "Brothers & Sisters" (2010–2011).
Personal Life
In 1989, the French magazine "Nous Deux" outed Richard, but he did not confirm his homosexuality until his 2003 memoir. He shared with "The Advocate" in 2010 about ongoing societal homophobia and the challenges it presents to actors. Chamberlain's significant relationships include actor Wesley Eure in the early 1970s and his "Allan Quatermain" co-star Martin Rabbett, with whom he lived in Hawaii from 1986 until their reported split in 2010. Despite living separately, Richard stated they remained very close.
Awards and Nominations
Richard Chamberlain has received six Golden Globe nominations, winning three, and earning three Primetime Emmy nominations. He won awards for roles in "Dr. Kildare" (1963), "Shogun" (1981), and "The Thorn Birds" (1984). Among several other accolades, he received the Golden Apple Awards, Photoplay Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television in 2000. His narrated documentary "Finite Water" won multiple international awards.
Real Estate
In October 1999, Richard purchased an oceanfront property in Maui, Hawaii, for $3.5 million, which he transformed into a custom 6,000 square foot mansion. In September 2011, he sold this luxurious home for $13.8 million. The property features six bedrooms, a screening room, a spa, a library, a chef's kitchen, and a two-bedroom carriage house.
