Richard Roundtree, who will endlessly be linked with the function of trailblazing Black detective John Shaft, has died. The actor, who on display is greatest remembered for the enduring function, was additionally a breast most cancers survivor identified for elevating funds to deal with the situation. He was extra not too long ago identified with pancreatic most cancers and died yesterday afternoon, together with his household at his bedside.
Richard Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York, performed soccer for Southern Illinois University and did some modeling earlier than the appearing bug bit.
He was drawn to theater and joined New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company, then starred as Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope off-Broadway earlier than the function of John Shaft introduced itself — a fortunate break secured after Sidney Poitier refused to display take a look at for the function, main director Gordon Parks to solid Roundtree as an alternative.
The function of Shaft, the “hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt” non-public detective, modified Roundtree’s life and the course of Hollywood by introducing him as an unapologetic protagonist and subterranean fighter of crime.
He went on to play the function within the sequels Shaft’s Big Score! and Shaft In Africa in addition to the short-lived 1973 spin-off TV sequence. And Roundtree reprised the function within the 2000 John Singleton film additionally referred to as Shaft, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel.
The actor’s many movie credit embrace 1981’s Inchon, City Heat (1984) in addition to Se7en, George Of The Jungle, Body Of Influence, Amityville: A New Generation, and What Men Want. He was final seen in Paul Weitz’s 2022 comedy Moving On.
On the small display, Roundtree had one in all his greatest alternatives within the breakthrough miniseries Roots, and might rely a wide range of dramas and comedies amongst his many credit.
His company supplied the next assertion on his demise: “Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the lack of our pal and shopper Richard Roundtree. His trailblazing profession modified the face of leisure across the globe and his enduring legacy will likely be felt for generations to come back. Our hearts are together with his household and family members throughout this tough time.”
But maybe the final phrase ought to go to Jackson, who took to Instagram to pay his personal tribute…
