Richard Roundtree, the iconic star of ‘Shaft,’ dies at 81.
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
11:27 AM – Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Actor Richard Roundtree, known for his iconic role as John Shaft in the 1971 Shaft film franchise, has sadly passed away.
He was 81 years old.
His manager, Patrick McMinn, who leads McMinn Management and Artists & Representatives Agency, released a statement confirming his sudden passing. He added that Roundtree died on Tuesday afternoon after battling pancreatic cancer.
McMinn also said that his family was by his side when he took his last breath.
“Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree,” he posted.
Roundtree was a well-known survivor of breast cancer. After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 1993, he started advocating for men to be more aware of the disease.
According to his IMDb profile, Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York, attended Southern Illinois University for football, and worked as a model for some years.
Roundtree grew interested in theater and later joined New York’s renowned Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). He then starred off-Broadway as Jack Johnson in “The Great White Hope” until the role of John Shaft was presented to him.
The iconic Gordon Parks directed the 1971 movie, which took home Oscars for best original song and best music for Isaac Hayes’ self-titled hit and other pieces he wrote for the film.
Roundtree’s life and Hollywood’s blaxploitation genre was forever altered when he played John Shaft, the “hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt” private investigator who emerged as an unrepentant hero and underground combatant of crime.
The box office and critical acclaim of Shaft sparked a brief but significant surge of big-budget Hollywood productions with strong Black leads. Additionally, it gave Roundtree a variety of acting chances, with his face appearing to be on screen constantly at moments.
His additional credits include popular shows like “CHiPs,” “Magnum P.I.”, “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Chicago Fire.” Additionally, Roundtree starred in other action movies in the 1980s and 1990s, such as “Original Gangstas.”
Naturally, Roundtree played himself or his relatives in later Samuel L. Jackson-starring “Shaft” films. For his narrator work on the 2002 PBS documentary “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow,” Roundtree was honored with a Peabody Award.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Congressman James Comer says the longer the GOP conference goes without electing a speaker
Tom Emmer’s House Speaker Bid lasts hours while MSNBC pundit Michael Cohen testifies against Trump.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott visits Chicago to speak to voters.
A new lawsuit accuses NewsGuard of defaming Consortium News.
Microsoft is outstripping Alphabet in the race to make money from generative AI through early bets on OpenAI and focus on big clients.
Apple increased the subscription prices of Apple TV+ and Apple News+.
Elon Musk said the social media platform X will soon launch two new tiers of premium subscriptions.
Bitcoin jumped on Friday above $30,000 for first time since July, taking gains for the week past 10%.
rnrn
What role did Richard Roundtree play in the groundbreaking film “Shaft” and how did it impact his career?
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of actor Richard Roundtree, known for his iconic role as John Shaft in the 1971 “Shaft” film franchise. Roundtree, who was 81 years old, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by his loving family.
His manager, Patrick McMinn, released a statement confirming Roundtree’s passing and expressing the sorrow felt by Artists & Representatives Agency. Roundtree’s battle with breast cancer in 1993 made him a well-known advocate for raising awareness of the disease among men.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree attended Southern Illinois University on a football scholarship and later became a model before transitioning to theater. He joined the renowned Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) in New York and starred off-Broadway in “The Great White Hope” before being offered the role of John Shaft.
Directed by Gordon Parks, the 1971 film ”Shaft” became a groundbreaking success in Hollywood’s blaxploitation genre and catapulted Roundtree to fame. The movie won Oscars for its original song and music by Isaac Hayes. Roundtree’s portrayal of Shaft, a charismatic and unapologetic private investigator, forever changed both his career and the landscape of Black cinema.
Following the success of ”Shaft,” Roundtree appeared in a variety of television shows and movies, including “CHiPs,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Chicago Fire.” He also starred in action films like “Original Gangstas” in the 1980s and 1990s. Roundtree reprised his role as Shaft in later films alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
Throughout his career, Roundtree received accolades for his work, including a Peabody Award for his narration in the PBS documentary “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow.”
The news of Roundtree’s passing has led to an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues, including actor Samuel L. Jackson, who tweeted his gratitude for Roundtree’s presence and influence in their lives.
Richard Roundtree’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and filmmakers. His contributions to cinema, advocacy, and representation will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in power, Richard Roundtree.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...