Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree

1942-07-09 – 2023-10-24 (age 81) New Rochelle, New York, USA
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Biography

Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942 โ€“ October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year โ€“ Actor in 1972.

He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.

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Known For

Se7en
Se7en

1995

as Talbot

Speed Racer
Speed Racer

2008

as Ben Burns

George of the Jungle
Thelma
Thelma

2024

as Ben

Shaft
Shaft

2000

as "Uncle" John Shaft

Shaft
Shaft

2019

as John Shaft, Sr.

Earthquake
Earthquake

1974

as Miles Quade

What Men Want
What Men Want

2019

as Skip Davis

Boat Trip
Boat Trip

2002

as Felicia's Dad

Q: The Winged Serpent
Brick
Brick

2006

as Assistant V.P. Trueman

Undercover Brother
Undercover Brother

2002

as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)

Maniac Cop
Maniac Cop

1988

as Commissioner Pike

Shaft
Shaft

1971

as John Shaft

Steel
Steel

1997

as Uncle Joe

City Heat
City Heat

1984

as Dehl Swift

Escape to Athena
Escape to Athena

1979

as Nat Judson

Corky Romano
Corky Romano

2001

as Howard Shuster

Man Friday
Man Friday

1975

as Friday

Antitrust
Antitrust

2001

as Lyle Barton