Richard Roundtree
Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – 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 – Actor in 1972. Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory. His family hosted a memorial service for him at Saint Catherine African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, New York on February 17, 2024.
Filmography (152 titles)
6.8MovieBreakdown: 1975
Self (Shaft- archive footage) · 2025
6.8MovieThelma
Ben · 2024
5.9MovieMoving On
Ralph · 2023
6.8MovieA Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
Self · 2021
5.1MovieHaunting of the Mary Celeste
Tulls · 2020
6.9ShowGAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
Grandpa · 2020
5.9MovieA Family Reunion Christmas
Jebidiah McKellan · 2019
8.0ShowFamily Reunion
Grandpa · 2019
MovieHarlem to Hollywood
Self · 2019
6.5MovieShaft
John Shaft, Sr. · 2019
6.2MovieWhat Men Want
Skip Davis · 2019
8.0ShowStar
Charles Floyd · 2016
7.3ShowLethal Weapon
Don Bennett · 2016
6.3ShowThe Player
Samuel Letts · 2015
MovieCollar
Alonzo Sparks · 2015
6.9ShowBeing Mary Jane
Paul Patterson, Sr. · 2013
8.4ShowChicago Fire
Wallace Boden, Sr. · 2012
MovieRetreat!
Henshaw · 2012
4.6MovieThe Confidant
Claude · 2010
6.7MovieWhatever She Wants
Theodore Wolf · 2010
4.0MovieDiary of a Single Mom
Lou Bailey · 2009
3.0MovieSet Apart
J.T. · 2009
4.5MovieLadies of the House
Stan · 2008
8.4ShowThe Mentalist
Floyd Benton · 2008