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Actor
Richard Chamberlain to Lecture at Pomona College
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Actor and author Richard Chamberlain will present a public
talk at Pomona College on Monday, April 5. The subject will
be Chamberlain's recently published autobiography Shattered
Love: A Memoir. The talk will be held at 12:15 in Lyman
Hall, Thatcher Music Building, 340 N. College Ave.,
Claremont. A book signing will follow in front of the Pomona
College Museum of Art.
Chamberlain will discuss the dominant themes of his book:
love, forgiveness, detachment, self-image and social
conditioning. Although Chamberlain's public life and career
have been extraordinary, the life issues and personal
dilemmas he chronicles are universal.
Chamberlain's new memoir challenges the self-congratulatory
stereotype of the celebrity autobiography, chronicling his
professional and personal struggles with rare honesty and
openness. Growing up in Beverly Hills, the second son of
accomplished parents, Chamberlain's early life appeared
ideal. In fact, his father was alcoholic, and the resulting
family instability marked Chamberlain, setting him on a
course fueled by a nearly desperate need for acceptance and
acknowledgement. The remarkable productivity of his career
can be explained in part, he suggests, by a relentless need
to prove himself worthy. Chamberlain's quest was complicated
by his homosexuality, which he recognized as a young man but
has only recently been willing to discuss openly. This
reluctance resulted in part from fears that his career as a
leading man would be damaged if he were openly gay, and in
part from his own discomfort with his sexuality. As his
career progressed, however, despite notable successes and
the support of thousands of fans, Chamberlain came to
realize that outward acclaim would never satisfy his craving
for validation. While continuing to work, the focus of his
life shifted gradually to self-examination and spiritual
development. It is this journey that is the true subject of
the memoir.
Chamberlain began his acting career at Pomona College from
which he graduated in 1956. Immediately offered a contract
by Paramount Studios, he was obliged instead to serve in
Korea. Returning to Los Angeles 16 months later, however, he
signed with one of the most powerful talent agents in the
city, and in 1961 won the lead role in the enormously
popular TV series Dr. Kildare that ran for four years and
brought him widespread recognition. Moving to London in
1968, Chamberlain undertook a number of stage roles,
including Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, acting
in the company of such luminaries as John Gielgud and
Michael Redgrave. In 1965 he starred with Julie Christie in
the film Petulia and was tapped for the role of Ralph
Touchett in the six-part BBC production of Henry James's
Portrait of a Lady. Throughout his career, Chamberlain has
continued to work in theater, television and movies. His
credits include such theatrical roles as Hamlet, 1968; Lady
Caroline Lamb and Cyrano de Bergerac, 1973; The Lady's Not
for Burning, 1974; The Night of the Iguana, 1976; and My
Fair Lady, 1993-4; his films include, Joy in the Morning,
1965; The Madwoman of Chaillot, 1969; Ken Russell's The
Music Lovers, 1970; The Last Wave, 1977; and Wallenberg: A
Hero's Story, 1985; and his television movies and series
include, The Bourne Identity, 1988, Centennial, 1968;
Shogun, 1980; and The Thorn Birds, 1983.
This event is open to the public without charge. It is being
offered midday in order to enable as many people as possible
to attend. Please note, however, that food and drink are not
permitted in Lyman Hall. For more information, call (909)
621-8283.
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