Richard Roundtree, Star of Crime Drama Shaft, Has Died Aged 81

Summary

• Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor known for his groundbreaking role in Shaft, has passed away at 81 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His legacy will be felt for generations.
• Roundtree paved the way for future Black actors in Hollywood, breaking traditional roles for Black actors with his portrayal of John Shaft.
• Beyond Shaft, Roundtree had a successful career in movies and TV, including notable roles in Maniac Cop and Shaft sequels. He also fought and beat breast cancer, raising awareness for men’s health.

Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who broke new ground in 1970s crime drama Shaft, has died at the age of 81. As confirmed via Deadline, the actor passed away on October 24 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

In a statement from the actor’s manager, Patrick McMinn from Artists & Representatives, it was revealed that the actor passed away on Tuesday surrounded by his family. The statement read:

“Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. 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.”

As a legend in his own lifetime, Roundtree established himself as a talented actor and paved the way for future generations of Black actors to make their own mark in Hollywood. Growing up in New York in the 1940s and 1950s, the actor developed his love for the performing arts while attending Southern Illinois University, and moved to the Juilliard School in New York to develop his skill for acting.

In 1971, Roundtree was cast in the role of John Shaft, a part that would break the traditional roles given to African American actors up to that point, and rocket the actor to stardom. Roundtree reprised the role of Shaft in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score and Shaft in Africa, a short-lived TV series, and would also return to the role many years later in the 2000 John Singleton-directed sequel, which also starred Samuel L. Jackson as Shaft’s nephew, and again in the 2019 follow up, also titled Shaft.

Related: Shaft Review: A Return to ’70s Glory

Richard Roundtree’s Life and Career Beyond Shaft

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Away from his most iconic role, Roundtree starred in dozens of movies and TV series over his expansive career. His list of credits includes starring roles in Maniac Cop, A Time to Die, George of the Jungle, Moving On and what will be his final role in Thelma. On TV, the actor made guest appearances in some of the biggest shows of the 1980s, such as The Love Boat, Magnum P.I., Murder, She Wrote and Beauty and the Beast, while later roles included 21 Jump Street, Alias, Desperate Housewives, The Mentalist and the TV reboot of Lethal Weapon.

Away from the cameras, Roundtree previously fought and beat cancer in the early 1990s. After discovering a lump, the actor was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. At the time, the idea of men suffering from breast cancer was one that many people did not relate to, and Roundtree was one of them, but in subsequent years he worked with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise men’s awareness about the disease.

Our thoughts are with Roundtree’s family, friends and fans at this sad time, and stay safe in the knowledge that his legacy will live on through the impact he career had on so many Black actors.

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