Richard Roundtree, renowned for his portrayal of detective John Shaft in the 1971 film “Shaft,” has passed away, as confirmed by his spokesperson to CBS News. He was 81 years old.
On Tuesday, Roundtree succumbed to pancreatic cancer at his residence in Los Angeles, after a brief battle with the disease, according to his representative, Patrick McMinn.
Richard Roundtree’s illustrious career in both film and television spanned over half a century. He is most celebrated for his role in the “Shaft” film series, encompassing five movies, and for his memorable portrayal of Sam Bennett in the iconic 1977 TV miniseries “Roots.” “Shaft,” directed by Gordon Parks, marked Roundtree’s debut in feature films. Before his breakthrough in cinema, he had earned his stripes as a model and stage actor. “Shaft” was an instant sensation, followed by two sequels in the subsequent two years, namely, “Shaft’s Big Score!” and “Shaft in Africa.”
He reprised his role in the 2000 film “Shaft,” featuring Samuel L. Jackson, and revisited it once more in the 2019 installment of the franchise, which was also titled “Shaft.”
On Instagram, Samuel L. Jackson paid tribute to Roundtree with these words: “Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!! 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.”
Roundtree also made numerous appearances in various television shows, with recurring roles in “Generations,” an NBC soap opera that aired from 1989 to 1991, as well as in “Heroes” and the BET series “Being Mary Jane.”
In 1993, Roundtree faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, which he bravely overcame through successful treatment. He disclosed to ABC News in 2009 that he kept his diagnosis and treatment hidden from the public eye for several years. He stated, “I was in the closet, so to speak, until after the fifth year when I was cancer-free,” revealing that he decided to share his experience during a celebrity golf tournament aimed at raising funds for a mobile breast cancer diagnostic unit.
