He was a legend on the big screen and paved the way for many African Americans to obtain lead roles in the film industry. Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his role as “Shaft” has passed away at 81.
The news was confirmed by Roundtree’s longtime manager Patrick McMinn on Tuesday, leaving fans around the world heartbroken.
Richard Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York. He graduated from New Rochelle High School and attended Southern Illinois University where he played football. Though he was a skilled athlete, his heart was drawn to modeling and acting. Eventually, Roundtree dropped out of college to pursue his dream as a model and actor.
Roundtree’s career began in the 1960s as an Ebony Fashion Fair model. He joined the Negro Ensemble Company, which is a organization that educates African Americans, Africans, and Caribbean professionals in the performing arts. The NEC puts on live theater performances before a culturally diverse audience. Their shows are by, and about black people. Through the NEC, Roundtree landed his first role portraying boxing legend Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope. He went on to act in many other productions.
Richard Roundtree’s big break came in 1971, when he landed the role as the handsome, debonair, detective John Shaft in the action movie Shaft. The movie spun several sequels including “Shaft’s Big Score” and “Shaft in Africa.”
Throughout the years Richard Roundtree obtained several roles and appeared in well over 100 tv shows and movies including:
- Original Gansta
- Earthquake
- Touched by an Angel
- Chicago Fire
- What Men Want
- Miami Cops
- Bloodfist III
- An Eye for an Eye
- Steel
- Fist of Justice
- Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns
- Chips
- Knight Rider
- Being Mary Jane
- Lethal Weapon
- Family Reunion
- Cherish the Day
- Beverly Hills 90210
- The Closer
Richard Roundtree’s hard work earned him an impressive resume and made him a sought after actor for many roles. His career spanned over five decades and he has won numerous awards including the African American Film Critics Association Legacy Award and a MTV Movie + TV Lifetime Achievement Award.
Though Roundtree had an amazing, prosperous acting career, he did suffer some health challenges. In 1993, he was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. His experience led him to become an advocate for men’s health, drawing attention to the fact that breast cancer is not a disease for women only.
Richard Roundtree will always be recognized as an icon and a trailblazer.
Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his Los Angeles home surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old.
Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023.