When mini-series ruled prime time, their maxi-est star was Richard Chamberlain.

Handsome leading man Richard Chamberlain, who came to prominence in the 1960s medical series “Dr. Kildare” and then became king of the miniseries with such ratings blockbusters as “ Shogun ” and “The Thorn Birds,” has died. He was 90.

Chamberlain became king of the 1980's TV mini-series: playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds. He denied being gay when confronted by a French magazine in 1989, and did not speak publicly about his homosexuality until he turned 70.

Richard Chamberlain, an actor who got his start playing a hunky TV doctor and went on to become a miniseries maestro, died on Saturday, according to his publicist. He was 90 years old.

Richard Chamberlain, known for his roles in "The Thorn Birds," "Shogun," and "Dr. Kildare," passed away in Hawaii due to stroke complications.

The actor became known as “king of the TV miniseries” in 1978 when he landed the starring role in “Centennial,” an epic production 24 hours long and based on James Michener’s sprawling novel. He followed that in 1980 with “Shogun.

Richard Chamberlain, the actor known for a string of TV miniseries in the 1980s, including "Shogun," has died. He was 90.

An overnight star as Dr. Kildare in the 1960s, he achieved new acclaim two decades later as the omnipresent leading man of mini-series.

Actor Richard Chamberlain waves during a press conference in Berlin on Oct. 10, 1995.  As featured on Now it's time to activate or sign up for unlimited access! We have not been able to find your subscription.