Richard Roundtree
Known for Acting
Richard 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. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Filmography
Se7en
1995
as Talbot
Speed Racer
2008
as Ben Burns
Shaft
2019
as John Shaft, Sr.
What Men Want
2019
as Skip Davis
George of the Jungle
1997
as Kwame
Shaft
2000
as "Uncle" John Shaft
Earthquake
1974
as Miles Quade
Shaft
1971
as John Shaft
Brick
2006
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Antitrust
2001
as Lyle Barton
Thelma
2024
as Ben
Boat Trip
2002
as Felicia's Dad
Undercover Brother
2002
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Maniac Cop
1988
as Commissioner Pike
Moving On
2023
as Ralph
An Eye for an Eye
1981
as Capt. Stevens
Steel
1997
as Uncle Joe
City Heat
1984
as Dehl Swift
Escape to Athena
1979
as Nat Judson
Shaft in Africa
1973
as John Shaft