HONOLULU – More than four decades after he captured women's hearts on television's "Dr. Kildare," Richard Chamberlain has decided to reveal his identity as a gay man "because I'm not afraid anymore." 

"I'm not a romantic leading man anymore so I don't need to nurture that public image anymore," the 68-year-old Chamberlain says in an interview to air Sunday on "Dateline NBC." 

"I can talk about it now because I'm not afraid anymore." 

The "Dateline" interview coincides with the publication of Chamberlain's new memoir, "Shattered Love," which will be released Tuesday by ReganBooks. 

Chamberlain starred as television's Dr. James Kildare from 1961-1966, and as Father Ralph, a love-torn priest, in the 1983 miniseries "The Thorn Birds." He also starred in the 1974 movie "The Towering Inferno" and the 1980 miniseries "Shogun." 

"When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that, was verboten," said Chamberlain, who lives in Hawaii. "I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it." 

Now, the actor says, everything is different. 

He's talking about his longtime partner, Martin; appearing in The Advocate magazine; and discussing his difficult childhood. 

"I love my life just the way it is. I'm proud of my relationship. I'm actually proud of myself," Chamberlain said.

Martin Rabbett had his education in Honolulu. 
He studied drama and dance and began his professional carreer as an actor. 

Theatre: 
Played at the Goodspeed Opera House in a revival of 'Babes in Arms' . Before that he played in the summer of 1978 Mark  in 'Shadow Box'. The play was directed by Richard Chamberlain at the Williamstown Theatre Featival, as well as the Ivorytown Playhouse. On Broadway he worked in gower Champion's  momentous "A Broadway Musical" and also in "The Night of the Inguana" at the Circle in the Square. In November 1979 he played the "Towel Boy"  in "Fathers and Sons" of Thomas Babe and was  understudy for Jack McCall and Horror Zeke. 
 

Film: 
He played in ‘Bare Essence’ in 1982; in ‘Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold’, this film was made in 1985 and released in 1987. In the film, Martin played the first time with Richard Chamberlain, as his brother Robeson Quatermain. 

‘Dream West’ in 1986, in the TV mini series he played for the second time with Richard Chamberlain, as Kern. 

In 1986 Martin played Dirk Fisher in the TV film ‘Dreams of Gold: 
The Mel Fisher Story’. 

The next years Martin will cooperate closely with Richard Chamberlain in varied productions. 

In 1988 Martin was the co-producer of the mini series ‘Bourne Identity’, based on the novel written by Robert Ludlum, which got an Emmy Nomination. 

In 1989 Martin was the co-creator and co-executive producer of the series ‘Island Son’. 

In 1993/1994 he produced the Broadway production and the national tour of the musical ‘My Fair Lady’ as well as the an entirely new European tour in 1995; starring Richard Chamberlain and Meg Tolin. 

In 1997 he is the co-producer of the TV film ‘All the Winters That Have Been’, based on the novel written by Evan Maxwell. 

In 1998/1999 as an executive producer of the mini series “Too Rich: The secret Life of Doris Duke’. 

In 1999/2000 Martin has served as producer for the Broadway production and the national tour of the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. Again starring Richard Chamberlain and Meg Tolin. 

In the summer of 2000 Martin directed the premiere play ‘Shadow of Greatness’, written by Gary Socol. In the direction of this play he uses his knowledge of dance: Richard Chamberlain ‘danced’ a fantastic rap dance!