Martin Rabbett: Where is Richard Chamberlain’s ex-husband now?

Martin Rabbett is an American actor and also the ex-husband of iconic actor Richard Chamberlain. Martin Rabbett’s ex-husband became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare. Hailed as the ‘King of the miniseries’, Richard Chamberlain is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. He has starred in some iconic and powerful productions including Shogun (1980), The Thornbirds (1983), Wallenberg (1985), and the original screenplay of The Bourne Identity (1988).

Martin Rabbett: Bio Summary

Who is Richard Chamberlain’s ex-husband?

Martin Rabbett was born on May 14, 1953, in San Mateo, California, USA. As of 2023, he is 70 years old. Martin is a graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is an actor, writer, and producer known for Finite Water (2019), Island Son (1989), Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986).

Per Ibdb, the musical comedy My Fair Lady (Dec 09, 1993 – May 01, 1994) was produced in association with Martin Rabbett. He also went on to perform in A Broadway Musical (Dec 21, 1978 – Dec 21, 1978) as a male dancer. He was also the Assistant Stage Manager of The Night of the Iguana (Dec 16, 1976 – Feb 20, 1977).

The role that gave Richard Chamberlain his breakthrough, Dr. Kildare, almost didn’t come at all. Chamberlain’s friend George in high school whose father was a movie executive became an assistant to the man who ran MGM. George had seen his picture in a player’s book one day and had wondered what he was up to. Richard was invited to a general interview and was hired as the lead in the ill-fated western pilot, ‘Paradise Kid’.

Then in 1961, Richard got his big break when after a long search for a young doctor Kildare, George pulled the pilot from under the vault and immediately knew that Richard was perfect for the role. Dr. Kildare aired on NBC from 1961 to 1966 during which he had also starred in two feature films, Twilight of Honor (1963) with Joey Heatherton and Joy in the Morning (1965) with Yvette Mimieux.

Is Richard Chamberlain still with Martin Rabbett?

Chamberlain was not open about his homosexuality for most of his career, to protect his privacy and his acting opportunities. he said in an interview– “I was born in 1943. Back then in the 40s and 50s being gay in America was much worse than being a crook or an assassin, I was scared” He was outed by the French women’s magazine Nous Deux in December 1989 but did not confirm it until his 2003 autobiography Shattered Love: A Memoir.

ALSO, READ; William Hayes Chamberlain: Who is Richard Chamberlain’s brother?

In 1977, Chamberlain began a long-term relationship with Martin Rabbett. Talking about how they met, Chamberlain said – “We met 31 years ago. We were acting in a Tennessee Williams play. He was an actor, dancer and singer. Martin is much younger, he never hid his homosexuality. For his generation homosexuality was not something one would hide. It is true that things were not easy for him. Our life was like the life of a dog who has an injured leg and continues running on three legs: this is what it means to hide oneself.“

Rabbett played the brother of Chamberlain’s lead character in the 1986 film Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold. When asked if he wanted to marry Martin Rabbett when they met, he answered – “Yes, because matrimony gives you guarantees that do not exist otherwise. In the United States and in Hawaii where I live this is not possible. That is why we held a private ceremony with friends and we exchanged rings.” They began living together in Hawaii in 1986.

ALSO, READ; Richard Chamberlain’s Parents: Charles Axiom Chamberlain and Elsa Winnifred Matthews

According to Famousfix, Chamberlain legally adopted Martin Rabbett, to protect his assets. The couple stayed together for more than 40 years before they separated amicably in 2010 with Chamberlain moving to Los Angeles. In a 2014 interview, Chamberlain said that while he and Rabbett were no longer intimately involved, they remained close friends.

“We don’t live together anymore, and we’re much better friends than we’ve ever been,” Martin Rabbett’s ex-husband, Chamberlain told NYtimes. “So I’m in the business of advising people who are married, etc., to get another house.” As of 2023, Chamberlain is 89 years old. Martin Rabbett has been living a very private life and has not made any news or headlines in recent years.