Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his role in “Shaft,” dies at 81
What We Know:
- Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his role as private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film “Shaft,” has died at the age of 81.
- Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed his death in a statement to Variety, saying that the actor died on Tuesday afternoon after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
- Roundtree’s performance in “Shaft” was groundbreaking, as it was one of the first major Hollywood films to feature a black male lead. He would go on to reprise the role in two sequels, as well as a TV series and a 2019 reboot starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Gabrielle Union and Richard Roundtree star in BET’s first original film,”Being Mary Jane.” - Roundtree’s career spanned over 50 years and included over 150 credits in film and television. Other notable roles include Sam Bennett in the miniseries “Roots,” Victor Lang in “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
- Roundtree’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and fans. Gabrielle Union shared photos of the two of them together on the TV series “Being Mary Jane,” while Samuel L. Jackson called Roundtree “The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!” in an Instagram post.
Richard Roundtree was a trailblazing actor whose work helped to pave the way for more black actors to succeed in Hollywood. He will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.
