HONOLULU -- More than four decades after he captured women's hearts on television as Dr. Kildare, Richard Chamberlain has decided to reveal he's gay. "I'm not a romantic leading man any more, so I don't need to nurture that public image any more," the 68-year-old Chamberlain said in an interview set to air tomorrow on Dateline NBC.

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

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

Chamberlain starred as Dr. James Kildare from 1961 to 1966 and as Father Ralph, a love-torn priest, in the 1983 mini-series The Thorn Birds. He also starred in the 1974 movie The Towering Inferno and the 1980 mini-series 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 said, everything is different.

His longtime partner recently appeared in Advocate magazine, discussing his difficult childhoodd.

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

NEXT WEEK'S PLOTLINES

ALL MY CHILDREN: David is vengeful. Erica tries to get Lena out of Bianca's life. Anna holds Leora a last time.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: Blair wants Walker to help destroy Mitch. Lindsay is unnerved by a deadly warning.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ric is bent on revenge against Sonny. Nikolas issues a warning about Luke.

PORT CHARLES: Alison is hurt and shocked when Jamal betrays her. Caleb looks forward to killing Joshua.

GUIDING LIGHT: Olivia tells Cassie her woes. Marina seeks refuge by working instead of going to school. Beth reaches out to Lizzie.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Margo is shocked to see who the dead man is. Molly and Dusty argue. Jessica gets a job.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Darla refuses to raise her child in a home built on lies. Amber's in for a surprise.

PASSIONS: David horrifies Grace. Ivy gets Sam to doubt Grace. Fox stops Chad and Whitney in mid-proposal.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Brandon and Sami wed. Marlena decides to seduce Tony. Somebody is devastated.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Brittany gives her mom away. Michael hopes to regain Chris. Charlotte demands Jill stop Billy from marrying Mac.

CORONATION STREET: Peter gives Vik an ultimatum. Wedding plans occupy the Websters, but trouble's afoot. Hayley blames Roy for working all the time.