Richard Roundtree, the groundbreaking actor who played the ultra-slick private eye in several Shaft films starting in the early 1970s, has died. He is 81 years old.
Roundtree was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, said his longtime agent, Patrick McMinn. In 1993, he was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy.
“Richard’s work and career were a turning point for African-American leadership,” McMinn said. “His impact on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, is considered the first black action hero and played New York street smart John Scharf in the 1971 film directed by Gordon Parks John Shaft, who became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre. At the age of 28, this was Rowntree’s first film role since she began her career as a model.
Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in the way Hollywood viewed black films, which at the time did not consider black actors in projects, especially in leading roles. Blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at African-American audiences.
In the film, his character navigates the world of the mob. He often utters popular quips such as “It’s my duty to please that trophy.”
“What we did was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot,” Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.
Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song – which includes the line “You’re a bad mother – (shut up)” – helped bring the original film into the pop culture consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like a gunshot heard around the world.” His single won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1971 and two Grammy Awards the following year.
After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score in 1972 and Shaft in Africa in 1973. That same year, he reprized his role as the savvy detective in the CBS drama Shaft, which lasted only seven episodes. .
Roundtree reprized his role in the 2000 remake of Shaft, starring Samuel L. Jackson. He plays Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film for general audiences. The two reprise their roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.
Jackson called Roundtree “the prototype” and “the best ever” in a social media post.
“As far as we know, SHAFT is and will always be his creation,” he said of Roundtree. “His death has not only left a deep scar on my heart, but I’m sure it has on you too.”
Over his 50+ year career, Roundtree appeared in many other notable films, including Earthquake, Man Friday with Peter O’Toole, Roots, Cop, Se7en and What Men Want starring Taraji P. Henson. He is also known for his television roles in Magnum PI, The Love Boat, Being Mary Jane, and The Love Boat.
In 1995, Roundtree received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie and Television Awards.
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