The entertainment world has been thrown into a mourning over the loss of Richard Roundtree, the iconic US actor celebrated for his groundbreaking role in the Shaft film series.
Okay.ng reports that Richard, who also played the character of Kwame in Sam Weisman’s 1997 comedy, George of the Jungle, passed away at the age of 81 in his Los Angeles home on Tuesday, surrounded by his family.
His manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed that Roundtree’s battle with pancreatic cancer was brief but ultimately took him from us.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” expressed McMinn in a heartfelt statement. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree embarked on his acting journey in the early 1960s. His portrayal of detective John Shaft was groundbreaking and catapulted him to stardom at the young age of 29.
The Shaft film franchise of the 1970s is legendary, known for its role in establishing the Blaxploitation genre, featuring action films centered around heroic black characters.
Richard Roundtree’s illustrious career extended beyond Shaft, with notable appearances in films such as Inchon and Seven, as well as television series like Roots, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Desperate Housewives.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson, who worked alongside Roundtree in the 2000 Shaft reboot and the 2019 installment of the franchise, paid tribute to the late actor. Jackson referred to Roundtree as “the prototype, the best to ever do it” in an emotional Instagram post. He added, “His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too,” while invoking the iconic Shaft theme song that won an Oscar for best original music.
Richard Roundtree faced health challenges in the past, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 1993, which led to a double mastectomy. He leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to film and television and is survived by four daughters – Kelli, Nicole, Taylor, Morgan – his son John, and at least one grandchild, according to the New York Times. His impact on the industry and his status as an iconic leading man will be remembered for years to come
