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Richard Roundtree, celebrated for his groundbreaking portrayal in the Shaft movie franchise, passed away on the afternoon of October 24 at the age of 81. He succumbed to a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family.
Born in 1942 in New Rochelle, NY, Roundtree gained fame for his roles in blaxploitation films during the early 1970s, most notably as detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller “Shaft” and its sequels, “Shaft’s Big Score!” (1972) and “Shaft in Africa” (1973). He also starred in the short-lived 1973 “Shaft” TV series.
Roundtree’s performance in the original “Shaft” earned him a New Star of the Year Golden Globe nomination and established him as the first Black action hero in the industry.
In later decades, Roundtree reprised his iconic role in the 2000 film directed by John Singleton, featuring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2019 sequel directed by Tim Story.
His filmography includes appearances in movies such as “Inchon” (1981), where he starred alongside Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara, “City Heat” (1984) opposite Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, as well as roles in “Se7en” and “George of the Jungle.” His last on-screen appearance was in the 2022 Paul Weitz comedy “Moving On.”
On the small screen, Roundtree made notable contributions by playing the character Sam Bennett in the iconic 1977 television series “Roots” and portraying Dr. Daniel Reubens on “Generations” from 1989 to 1991.
His agency, Artists & Representatives, and his long-time manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed Richard Roundtree’s passing, expressing their condolences. The agency stated, “His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe, and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
