When you think of 1980s television royalty, the name Richard Chamberlain immediately springs to mind. He was the "King of the Miniseries," a heartthrob who made millions of viewers swoon in The Thorn Birds and Shogun. But behind the scenes of that massive fame was a much quieter, deeply private story involving a man named Martin Rabbett. Because Rabbett stayed largely out of the spotlight for decades, fans often find themselves scouring the internet with one specific question: is Martin Rabbett still alive?
Yes. As of early 2026, Martin Rabbett is alive.
While the world recently mourned the passing of Richard Chamberlain in March 2025, Rabbett remains a figure of quiet resilience. He isn't someone who seeks out the paparazzi or posts daily updates on Instagram. He’s a man of another era. A man who valued privacy over the "likes" and "shares" that define modern celebrity culture. If you’ve been looking for him, you won't find him on a red carpet. You'll likely find him in the place he called home for nearly half a century: Hawaii.
The Reality of Martin Rabbett’s Current Life
It’s easy to get lost in the rumor mill. People see an actor of a certain age disappear from the credits of films and assume the worst. With Rabbett, the silence isn't about tragedy; it’s about a choice. Honestly, he’s been living a relatively low-key life since the height of his career as an actor and producer.
He is currently 72 years old.
While the entertainment industry moves at a breakneck pace, Rabbett’s pace has slowed significantly. Following the death of Richard Chamberlain, who passed away at the age of 90 due to complications from a stroke, Rabbett has focused on maintaining his privacy. It’s a bittersweet reality. The two had a relationship that spanned over 30 years—a lifetime in Hollywood terms. Even when they lived apart for a brief stint starting in 2010, they never truly "left" each other.
In his later years, Chamberlain actually moved back to Hawaii to be with Rabbett. That’s a detail many people miss. The media likes to focus on their "separation" in 2010 when Richard moved back to Los Angeles for work, but the truth is more nuanced. They remained each other's primary support system until the very end. Rabbett was listed as his only immediate survivor in several official reports.
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A Legacy Beyond the "Partner" Label
Most people know Martin Rabbett only through the lens of his relationship with Chamberlain. That’s a bit of a disservice. Rabbett was a talented individual in his own right. He wasn't just standing in the shadow of a giant; he was a working actor and a savvy producer.
Remember Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold?
Rabbett actually played Chamberlain’s brother in that 1986 film. It was a meta-moment for fans who knew about their real-life bond, though at the time, they were still very much "in the closet" to the general public. During the 80s, coming out was professional suicide for a leading man. Rabbett understood this. He didn't just share a life with Richard; he helped protect that life. He stepped into production roles, helping manage the business side of Chamberlain’s career, ensuring the "King of the Miniseries" could keep his crown while they enjoyed a secret paradise in Oahu.
Why the Rumors Persistent
Why do people keep asking is Martin Rabbett still alive?
Part of it is the "echo chamber" of the internet. When a major celebrity like Chamberlain passes away, search engines get flooded with queries about their loved ones. If those loved ones haven't done a televised interview in ten years, the algorithm starts to get confused. People see "Richard Chamberlain Dead" and subconsciously link the two.
Also, Rabbett doesn't have a verified Twitter account. He isn't doing the podcast circuit. In 2026, if you aren't digital, you’re almost invisible. But invisibility shouldn't be confused with absence.
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The Hawaii Connection
Hawaii was always their sanctuary. They moved there in the mid-80s to escape the crushing pressure of the Los Angeles scene. For Martin, Hawaii wasn't just a vacation spot; it was home. He became deeply integrated into the local community. While Richard was the face everyone knew, Martin was the one handling the day-to-day reality of their life in the islands.
Even after Richard's passing, sources close to the estate suggest Martin has remained in Hawaii. It’s where their history is. It’s where they had their private commitment ceremony in 1986, decades before marriage equality was the law of the land.
Navigating Grief and Privacy in 2026
Losing a partner of four decades is an unimaginable hurdle. For Martin Rabbett, the last year has undoubtedly been one of transition. There is a specific kind of loneliness that comes with being the survivor of a high-profile relationship when you were always the "silent" partner.
There hasn't been a formal public memorial service organized by Rabbett that hit the major tabloids. This is consistent with how they lived. They were "out" since 2003—when Richard published his memoir Shattered Love—but they were never "loud." They didn't feel the need to perform their relationship for the cameras.
It is important to respect that Martin Rabbett is a private citizen. He isn't a "public figure" in the way a politician or a Marvel star is. He is a man who lived a long, complicated, and beautiful life alongside one of the most famous men in the world.
What We Can Learn From Their Story
The interest in Martin Rabbett’s status says a lot about our fascination with long-term loyalty. In an era of "starter marriages" and "situationships," Rabbett and Chamberlain stood the test of time. They navigated:
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- The AIDS crisis of the 80s.
- The crushing weight of the Hollywood closet.
- A 19-year age gap.
- The transition from superstardom to quiet retirement.
Basically, their story is a testament to the idea that love doesn't have to be loud to be real. Martin Rabbett is still here, carrying the torch of that legacy. He’s a reminder of a time when Hollywood was different, and when keeping a secret was sometimes the only way to keep a relationship.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you are a fan of Martin Rabbett or Richard Chamberlain and want to honor their legacy, there are a few things you can do that are more productive than checking death hoaxes on social media.
- Watch their work: Revisit Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold. It’s a bit of 80s camp, sure, but seeing the two of them on screen together is a rare treat.
- Read "Shattered Love": If you haven't read Richard Chamberlain’s autobiography, do it. He talks extensively about Martin and the impact Martin had on his soul. It’s a beautiful look at their dynamic.
- Support Hawaii-based charities: Since the couple spent most of their lives in Hawaii, supporting local environmental or community organizations in Oahu is a great way to pay tribute to the place they loved.
- Respect the silence: Understand that Martin Rabbett owes the public nothing. If he chooses to live out his 70s and 80s in total anonymity, that is his right.
The mystery of whether Martin Rabbett is still alive isn't really a mystery at all. He’s living his life, likely away from the glare of a camera lens, exactly the way he and Richard always preferred it when the "action" stopped and the credits rolled. He remains a living link to a golden era of television and a poignant example of a life lived for love, not just for fame.
The most accurate information suggests he is currently residing in Honolulu, maintaining the privacy that has been the hallmark of his life for decades. While the world may have lost Richard Chamberlain, the man who knew him best is still among us, keeping the memories of their thirty-year journey alive.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check out the 2003 memoir Shattered Love to get Martin's perspective through Richard's eyes, or look for archival interviews from the early 2000s when they briefly spoke about their life in Hawaii. This provides the most authentic look at their partnership without the filter of modern tabloid speculation.