Richard Roundtree, Known for ‘Shaft’ Passes Away at 81

Richard Roundtree, the iconic Black actor celebrated for his groundbreaking portrayal of the private investigator John Shaft in the 1970s ‘Shaft’ film series and his impactful roles addressing race relations in America, has sadly passed away at the age of 81. This news was reported by the Hollywood Reporter, citing his manager.

Mr. Roundtree, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer, breathed his last at his Los Angeles residence, according to his manager, Patrick McMinn. Despite inquiries, Richard Roundtree’s representatives have yet to officially confirm this news.

In a statement, Patrick McMinn conveyed, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

Richard Roundtree soared to stardom with the 1971 Blaxploitation classic, “Shaft,” portraying a private detective in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. He reprised this iconic role in several sequels and even a short-lived television series. The character, characterized by his rugged and streetwise persona, stylish leather jackets, and a memorable theme song by Isaac Hayes, played a pivotal role in redefining what it meant to be a cool Black leading man, transcending racial boundaries and captivating audiences of all backgrounds.

Mr. Roundtree’s versatile career included notable roles such as his contribution to the groundbreaking ABC television drama “Roots” in 1977 and his portrayal of the fearless motorcycle daredevil Miles in the 1974 disaster film “Earthquake.”

One of his more poignant performances was in the 1996 film “Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored,” which chronicled the story of a close-knit Black community confronting the racism of post-war Mississippi. His credits also include playing opposite Peter O’Toole’s Robinson Crusoe in “Man Friday” (1975) and sharing the screen with Laurence Olivier’s portrayal of General Douglas MacArthur in “Inchon” (1981).

Richard Roundtree continued to grace both the big and small screens with his talent, boasting an impressive 159 acting credits to his name and three upcoming projects yet to be released, as per IMDB.com.

He is survived by his four daughters – Nicole, Tayler, Morgan, and Kelli Roundtree – as well as his son, James, as reported by Variety.