In Memoriam

In Memoriam : Richard Roundtree, Shaft star, dies at 81

Richard Roundtree, a pioneer in cinema, has passed away at the age of 81.

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2023

UVM Staff

Publicity photo of Richard Roundtree from the television program Shaft/CBS Television)

Richard Roundtree, a pioneer in cinema, has passed away at the age of 81 from pancreatic cancer.

Table of Contents

Passing

Roundtree passed Tuesday afternoon, his manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed to Deadline.

Richard Roundtree was an icon

A Blaxploitation icon, Roundtree was most celebrated for his role as John Shaft in the 1971 film “Shaft” and its sequels.

A native of New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree’s journey started in modeling and then he seamlessly transitioned into a distinquished acting career.

Beyond “Shaft,” Roundtree showcased his acting prowess in films such as “Earthquake,” “Man Friday,” and TV series like “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, “Roc” and “Being Mary Jane.”

Richard Roundtree was respected among his peers

Roundtree was recognized for his talents, being honored with various accolades. He is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his work in “Shaft”. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Related Topics:Black films celebrity deaths films

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.