Richard Roundtree, ‘Shaft’ action hero and ‘Roots’ star, dies at 81 from pancreatic cancer

Richard Roundtree, best known for his role as Detective John Shaft in the ’70s action thriller “Shaft,” has died. He was 81.

Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, told The Associated Press the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

Roundtree was a cancer survivor. Although he was initially quiet about it, Roundtree later became an advocate for raising awareness of the disease.

“Not talking about my cancer was really tough,” Roundtree told ABC News in a 2007 interview. “And now that I do talk about it all the time, it’s really become a backhanded blessing. I was getting on a plane recently, and a flight attendant ran up to me and said, ‘You saved my husband’s life.’ “

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Born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1942, Roundtree made his silver-screen debut in 1971 with his starring role in the Gordon Parks-directed “Shaft,” which followed the exploits of private eye John Shaft. The low-budget movie rocked the cultural firmament like an earthquake.

“Shaft” was made for $500,000 and grossed $13 million, nabbing a best original song Oscar for Isaac Hayes, who composed the title track. Soon, the floodgates would open, releasing a deluge of so-dubbed Blaxploitation movies throughout the 1970s.

The films were a turning point for Black people in American cinema, and “Shaft” set a template for the genre with Black actors featured in every key role and its unvarnished portrayal of ghetto street life.

Roundtree’s performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for most promising male newcomer in 1972. Roundtree went on to portray John Shaft in 1972’s “Shaft’s Big Score!,” 1973’s “Shaft in Africa” and the “Shaft” TV series.

In the 1977 blockbuster miniseries “Roots,” Roundtree played Sam Bennett, starring in the historical drama opposite LeVar Burton, Robert Reed and John Amos.

The NAACP Image Awards-nominated actor kept busy in the following decades, making guest appearances on TV shows such as “The Love Boat,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “Beverly Hill, 90210” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

In 2019, Roundtree returned to his iconic Shaft role in the reboot “Shaft” alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessie T. Usher. The film grossed $21.4 million at the domestic box office.

Roundtree’s most recent movie appearance was in the 2023 comedy “Moving On,” co-starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.

Samuel L. Jackson, Tia Mowry, more stars remember Richard Roundtree

Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union and many other celebrities are mourning Roundtree.

“Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!” Jackson captioned an Instagram post honoring his co-star. “SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!! His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.

“Love you Brother, I see you walking down the Middle of Main Street in Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song coat blowin’ in wind!!” he continued.

Union, Roundtree’s “Being Mary Jane” co-star, mourned the actor’s death in an X post on Tuesday, writing that working with Roundtree was “a dream.”

“He was ALWAYS the coolest man in the room with the best vibes (and people) would literally run over to come see him,” Union wrote. “We all loved him.”

Tia Mowry, who worked with Roundtree on the Netflix sitcom “Family Reunion,” shared her tribute on Instagram.

“I have no words for this loss,” she captioned a photo featuring herself and Roundtree with fellow co-stars Loretta Devine, Anthony Alabi and others. “Richard, you have made such a lasting impact on my life. I am forever grateful for your warm energy, your light, your heart, and your incredible wisdom.”

“I will miss you and our times together in our trailers – you teaching me the right way to take down some whiskey. I love you,” she continued. “Thank you for blessing this world with your gifts. Rest in Power.”

Jeffrey Wright, who also starred in the 2000 “Shaft” movie with Roundtree and Jackson, also mourned the actor on X, formerly Twitter: “The OG. And a lovely man. RIP.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph also paid her respects.

“When I was a teenager I use to dream about growing up to meet Richard Roundtree,” the “Abbott Elementary” star wrote on X. “I did and what a wonderful human being.”

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