Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for the iconic character of Detective John Shaft in several 1970s blaxploitation films, Shaft, has died after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.
The New York-born actor made his screen debut in the lead role in the 1971 original and its two sequels, a short-lived television series. He became the first black action hero.
Roundtree appeared in both John Singleton’s 2000 film, starring Samuel L. Jackson as his nephew, and Tim Story’s 2019 sequel, starring Jesse T. Asher as Jackson’s son. He will be reprising the same role.
Roundtree’s other film credits include David Fincher’s Se7en, Ryan Looper’s Brick, and the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer, as well as George of the Jungle and Corky. His credits include “Romano,” “Antitrust,” and “Steel.” Boat Trip,” “What Men Want,” “Incheon,” “City Heat,” “Moving On,” “The Big Score,” “Body of Influence,” “Amityville: New Generation,” and more.
On television, he had a memorable role as slave Sam Bennett in the 1977 television miniseries Roots. He received critical acclaim for his work on “413 Hope St.” “Alias,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Heroes,” “Diary of a Single Mother,” “Generations,” “Soul Food,” “Becoming Mary Jane,” “Chicago Fire,” “The Player.” “Such.
He was married twice and had five children. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
sauce: washington times