Who is Martin Rabbett? Richard Chamberlain’s ex-partner says "Love never dies" after actor's death

Richard Chamberlain’s longtime friend and former partner, Martin Rabbett, has shared his feelings after the veteran actor’s passing. The 71-year-old mourned the death of his co-star in Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold, and said in a post he shared on Chamberlain’s Instagram:

“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.”

Martin Rabbett is an actor-writer-producer who worked on multiple projects during the '80s and the '90s. According to IMDb, he appeared in Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story, Bare Essence, and the TV mini-series Dream West . He was a part of the 1978 play, The Shadow Box, which also featured The Three Musketeers star Chamberlain.

Rabbett’s other acting credits include playing the brother of Chamberlain’s titular character in Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold. Martin also served as a writer for the documentary Finite Water and the Richard Chamberlain-starrer Island Son, which he also co-created, per IMDb. Rabbett also has producer credits for multiple projects involving his former partner.

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Martin Rabbett and Richard Chamberlain were together for more than 30 years

The Thorn Birds actor met Rabbett at a Tennessee Williams play in the '70s, and they reportedly started dating shortly afterward. The couple remained together from 1977 to 2010 when they parted ways on a friendly note. Richard Chamberlain opened up about the start of his relationship with Martin Rabbett in a 2007 interview:

“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 homos**uality.”

He further remarked:

“For his generation homos**uality 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.”

On being asked about his desire to marry Rabbett, Chamberlain expressed:

“Yes, because matrimony gives you guarantees that do not exist otherwise.”

He added:

“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.”

Chamberlain remained closeted for most of his career despite being outed by a French Magazine, Nous Deux, in 1989, per Deadline. The '60s teen idol came out years later with his book Shattered Love: A Memoir (2003).

After coming out, he continued to date Martin for years, and they lived together in Hawaii. After their break-up in 2010, the former couple remained good friends. Years later, Richard told The New York Times about their relationship after the split:

“We don’t live together anymore, and we’re much better friends than we’ve ever been. So I’m in the business of advising people who are married, etc., to get another house.”

Chamberlain’s spokesperson, Harlan Boll, told The New York Times that the Twin Peaks actor had shifted back to Hawaii in recent years. He was living again with Martin Rabbett, who has been named the sole survivor in the late actor’s obituary.

According to Boll, Richard Chamberlain passed away due to the complications of a stroke. He was at his home in Waimanalo (island of O‘ahu), Hawaii. The Last Wave star passed away two days before turning 91.