Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

This Charming Man

Since most of my past boyfriends have all turned out to be flamboyantly homosexual, I thought I would profile the fabulous Richard Chamberlain in today's post.



Call it an ode to handsome gay men, if you will.

Because let's face it, if I had been around 40 years ago, I probably would have dated Richard "Delicious" Chamberlain too.

In 1964, he was my type: hot.



You may remember Richard from my previous post about The Thorn Birds mini-series. I was actually first introduced to the Hollywood hunk a couple years ago when I saw the 1960s delight, Petulia. He's yummy in that film too!



Richard was born and raised in Beverly Hills. Growing up, he loved to paint and harbored dreams of being an artist. While in college, however, he developed a passion for acting and ended up co-founding a Los Angeles-based theater group, Company of Angels.



Upon graduating college, Paramount Studios wanted to sign him for a contract, but the government got in the way. Richard was forced to serve in the Korean War for over a year.



As soon as the brave soldier returned home, he was immediately offered the role as the main character in the Dr. Kildare television series.



He became an overnight sensation. Teenage girls had his poster on their walls and worshipped him from afar. Everywhere he went, women fawned over him. Although Richard was grateful for the female attention, he also found it disturbing and haunting.



"When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten. I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it and became 'Perfect Richard, All-American Boy' as a place to hide."
-Richard Chamberlain




During the 1960s, he also made some extraordinary films, such as Petulia (with Julie Christie) and The Madwoman of Challiot (with Katharine Hepburn).

Since he was finally getting recognized for his acting ability, rather than his Ivy League good looks, Richard decided to take full advantage of this new turn in his career. He moved to England to star in plays.



He even ventured into a brief, albeit successful, singing career!



The 1970s were kind to the handsome movie star.

He met the love of his life, actor-writer-producer Martin Rabbett, and the two moved to Hawaii together.


(This was their actual house)

He was also the leading man in several major films and starred in many well known television mini-series, such as The Thorn Birds.

In the past decade, he has kept busy by guest-starring on television shows such as Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters.



In 2003, at the age of 69, Richard came out with his autobiography, "Shattered Love," which chronicles his anguish of hiding his homosexuality while being a Hollywood teen idol. I have not read the book, but it looks like an interesting read.

He also continues to be very vocal and active in environmental issues, which he had always been known for since the beginning of his career.

He lived with his partner, Martin, in Hawaii for 40 years until moving back to Hollywood last year. Despite the change in location, the two are still together.



During my research, I discovered that Richard has recently taken up painting again! He has a website of his work which you can find here: Richard Chamberlain Art Works. I browsed through the paintings and they are remarkably good. I suggest checking out his work and renting a couple of his best films, such as Petulia and The Thorn Birds!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

45 comments:

Barbara von Enger said...

He has a wonderful artistic spirit. I love some of his paintings. I know his face but not much about his person, well, now I do. Have a nice Sunday;-)

Cailin´s Place said...

love this post! kisses

www.calinplace.blogspot.com

Rachel - Notes from my closet said...

I had never heard of him, I love your blog SO much because you introduce me to some amazing people that I wouldn't otherwise know about :) checking out his art right now :)

Love, Vanilla

http://notesfrommycloset.blogspot.com/

Couture Carrie said...

Awesome pics and bio!

xoxox,
CC

Bel said...

Wow can't believe they stayed together that long. You sure don't get that in Hollywood anymore!

<3 Belly B

Andrés Corella said...

Great post! And wow he was hot! And he is still is for a man his age..that´s what you call aging like wine!

xx
Andy
The Black Label

Tanvi said...

I appreciate the amount of research you put into writing your posts!!! I do remember him from Brothers & Sisters! :P

♡ from © tanvii.com

DailyGlamour said...

yeah beautful ! cute guy
kisses

http://thecityofclothes.blogspot.com

Oh to Be a Muse said...

awh, he is a looker! love the title of this post too--gotta go play some Smiths now.

Chicago Chic said...

Why are gay men always so hot?? I like men who enjoy dressing well too. I loved reading more about him Jennifer, always love reading your bios! I'm going to check out his paintings now!

xo
Rachel

SMD said...

What a hunk! It's so nice that he's found his true love and has been able to live happily ever since. I especially like the fact that he supports environmental issues! I'm a huge fan of Al Gore and the environment would be one of my top priorities if I ever became a politician (which I doubt would happen). http://thearcenciel.blogspot.com/

The Nerdy Nurse said...

curious as to why you think your previous boyfriends have been homosexuals.

Sherin said...

He looks so striking! He does have perfect looks. And it's good to see he lead a relatively normal life compared to some other star from the past, and great to see he's still with the love of his life.

Shannon said...

yeah. totally hot. :)

StyleIDnet said...

Cute!! I have a particular 'attraction' for those who settle on long lasting marriages, that makes him even cuter.

http://styleidnet.blogspot.com/
http://www.filomenascloset.com/

Josie said...

Haha, we all want what we can't have, don't we? He is stunning -- he looks like a Ken doll. No joke. And PS, lady, you're hysterical. I adore you.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

David Macaulay said...

ha, great post as always J. I am always amazed when people get all surprised when certain pretty boys come out as gay -I mean was Ricky Martin and big suprise and you only have to see a Wham vid from the '80s for a nano secondnot to be surprised about George Michael.

Meri said...

He sort of reminds me of an old-school version of Matt Damon. Yummy!

Audrey Allure said...

I used to have a crush on my gay best friend lol. Gay men are usually so good looking!

What a handsome man!

Unknown said...

what a talent! I am so happy he and his partner are still together. love all the images and bits you've chosen to share!

xoxo

Ashley said...

OMG check out his house, wowww! His book sounds really interesting too, I'll have to see if I can find it!

-Ashley
http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

Christopher said...

I'm always baffled when people are surprised that an actor comes out of the closet. I'm actually surprised when people are surprised by anyone coming out anymore.

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

Very interesting! I read his Wikipedia page about a year ago I remember and found it fascinating. I love the better glimpse into his life that you've provided. I'm glad he could finally live honestly :) He was very hot, I would definitely have fawned over him too.

Anonymous said...

i agree with Vanilla - notes from my closet, your blogs introduce me to pple I'd never heard of.

I agree with you, he is HOT. end of.

ZyVu x

Kanisha said...

Woahhhh! He is STUNNING!

Cafe Fashionista said...

Why is it that this is the first time that I am hearing about this man? Random! Doesn't he remind you a bit of Robert Redford? :)

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

oh so handsome- classic "beauty" haha. Hope you enjoyed your weekend :)

Sick by Trend said...

Beautiful post. Very cool Bio and handsome!

xx

www.sickbytrend.com

Tights Lover said...

This is a great bio. It was a fascinating and enjoyable read.

Sadly, it doesn't seem like our society has made a lot of progress in the last 50 years. It seems very difficult for famous people to come out of the closet...and no easier now than it was then for Richard Chamberlain.

Anne Yang said...

I can't say that most of my boyfriends turned out gay, but I did have one who thought he might be gay while we were going out! Oh, and we had been going out for two years when we had this realization :)

What is it about gay men and their finely chiseled features and piercing eyes...? sigh.

xo,
Anne

noone said...

haha love this post, he is hot in that charming way I think :D and LOL I totally remember JLove Neutrogena ad! oh my and how she used to be in like everything for being hot... those were the days :D

amy b.s. said...

he's just so charming.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know Richard Chamberlain was gay! But if you look at these photos, you can tell.

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

That's how it is right, the good looking ones are always gay :)

drollgirl said...

he was super hot. and i had no idea he was gay. it must have been SO DIFFICULT to endure all the adoring women. women can be so scary, particularly if one isn't attracted to them!

anywhoo, glad he was able to come out and that he found the love of his life. YAY! that is pretty rad.

Venus Loves Virgo said...

Fabulous bio as usual! He is a wonderful actor and it's nice to see him still flourish after all these years. it's also nice he survived all the gossip and Hollywood drama, a lesser man would have caved. XOXO

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

My mama was a huge Thorn Birds fan!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

Um I would have become his best friend and still wished I COULD have dated him! =) haha! Hes fab! glad he is painting again!

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Ofelia said...

Lovely post! My first time reading and commenting on your blog; I got it from Vix's blog roll.
Growing as a young teens in Puerto Rico; I was the "girlfriend" of many of my gays friends because they couldn't tell their parents that they were gays.

stylenuggets said...

He's gay? No way! He was so good in Thorn Birds- too good perhaps? Ah- I need to go and lie down now :)

Heather Taylor said...

I would have definitely have been jonesing for him too if I had been a teen back then- Richard is the ultimate triple threat!

Anonymous said...

Hi, great report about my favorite actor, I have adored him ever since Dr. Kildare times. There is a fantastic biography about him on the internet and it is also on facebook.

www.richardchamberlain.net

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Chamberlain-Webbiography/173696882682668

Thanks. Katrin

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

I love him. Gay or not, I think he's gotten hotter by age, is a great actor and his paintings (not all) are brilliant. There we go. Mom and I used to call The Thorn Birds (the movie with the gay Catholic dude - yes just like that!). So much for my being open. :) Now the whole world knows. ;) Haha.

Katie said...

He sounds fascinating. I've hadn't heard of him before. Definately looking up Petulia after this :)

Unknown said...

My first crush as star struck ,12 year old loved Dt Kildare