Richard Roundtree
Biography
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
Breakdown: 1975
2025
as Self (Shaft- archive footage)
Thelma
2024
as Ben
Moving On
2023
as Ralph
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021
as Self
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020
as Tulls
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019
as Jebidiah McKellan
Harlem to Hollywood
2019
as Self
Shaft
2019
as John Shaft, Sr.
What Men Want
2019
as Skip Davis
Collar
2015
as Alonzo Sparks
Retreat!
2012
as Henshaw
The Confidant
2010
as Claude
Whatever She Wants
2010
as Theodore Wolf
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
as Lou Bailey
Set Apart
2009
as J.T.
Ladies of the House
2008
as Stan
Final Approach
2008
as Gary Markash
Speed Racer
2008
as Ben Burns
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008
as Ben Burns
Point of Entry
2007
as Miles Porter
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007
as El Doctor
Brick
2006
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Wild Seven
2006
as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Painkiller Jane
2005
as Colonel Watts