Legendary 'Shaft' Star Richard Roundtree Passes Away at 81

The Big Picture

Richard Roundtree, iconic star of Shaft, has died at the age of 81 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was an advocate for cancer prevention.

Roundtree's depiction of detective John Shaft in the 1971 movie established him as a prominent Black cool icon of the midcentury era and served as the catalyst for the emergence of the blaxploitation genre.

Apart from his renowned portrayal of Shaft, Roundtree enjoyed a flourishing career in both television and film. He notably appeared in Roots and collaborated with esteemed actors such as Clint Eastwood.

Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor who played the beloved Black hero Shaft in the 1971 film, has passed away at the age of 81. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Roundtree died yesterday after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He had previously overcome breast cancer in the early 1990s and was a strong advocate for men's health, encouraging them to get tested for the disease.

Born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree was a standout high school football player before venturing into a successful career as a model. Eventually, he made his way to New York City, where he embarked on an acting journey that would ultimately define his legacy and establish him as a symbol of Black cool in the mid-20th century.

Who is John Shaft?

Roundtree's breakthrough role came in the form of private detective John Shaft. While Shaft was initially written as a white character in the original screenplay, director Gordon Parks recognized Roundtree as the perfect embodiment of the hero. As depicted in Isaac Hayes' iconic theme song, Roundtree's portrayal of Shaft was that of a fearless individual who never shies away from danger. The film was a tremendous success and served as a catalyst for the blaxploitation genre. Roundtree's performance solidified his status as an icon, leading to multiple reprisals of the character throughout his career. He returned to play Shaft in two '70s sequels, Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa, and later appeared in a series of television movies. In more recent years, Roundtree took on a supporting role as Shaft's son in both the 2000 and 2019 adaptations, alongside Samuel L. Jackson.

Image via MGM

Despite never fully escaping the overwhelming influence of Shaft, Roundtree forged a triumphant path in both television and film. He played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, boasting a star-studded ensemble in the disaster film Earthquake, and shared the screen with cinematic icons Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds in City Heat. Additionally, he delivered notable supporting performances in various movies, including George of the Jungle, Speed Racer, and Se7en. Roundtree also graced the small screen with recurring roles on hit shows such as Heroes, Being Mary Jane, and Family Reunion. Musing over his extensive body of work, he declared that his 1996 civil rights drama Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored held a special place in his heart. Lastly, his final cinematic endeavor, Moving On (2022), saw him star alongside industry legends Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Malcolm McDowell.

Many of Roundtree's former colleagues expressed their memories of him following the announcement of his passing. Samuel L. Jackson, who starred alongside him in two Shaft films, hailed him as "the ultimate example, the finest in his craft!" Roundtree was married and divorced twice, and is remembered by his five children. To see him discussing his last movie, Moving On, visit Our website below.