Richard Roundtree

Actor

Richard Roundtree

Born July 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York, USADied October 24, 202387 films

Richard Arnold 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.

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Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory. His family hosted a memorial service for him at Saint Catherine African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, New York on February 17, 2024.

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The best way into Richard Roundtree's work
Shaft posterFirst watchShaft19716.4as John ShaftA leading role.Cool Black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.View film

Essential films

Ranked by role, acclaim and reach
Thelma poster6.8Thelma2024Shaft in Africa poster6.2Shaft in Africa1973Shaft's Big Score! poster6.1Shaft's Big Score!1972Shaft poster6.5Shaft2019An Eye for an Eye poster5.2An Eye for an Eye1981Maniac Cop poster6.1Maniac Cop1988Antitrust poster6.0Antitrust2001Steel poster4.2Steel1997

Most loved on Nook

Rated by NookFilm members
Se7en poster8.4Se7en1995

Filmography

87 films as actor
  1. 2024ThelmaBen
  2. 2023Moving OnRalph
  3. 2020Haunting of the Mary CelesteTulls
  4. 2019A Family Reunion ChristmasJebidiah McKellan
  5. 2019ShaftJohn Shaft, Sr.
  6. 2019What Men WantSkip Davis
  7. 2015CollarAlonzo Sparks
  8. 2012Retreat!Henshaw
  9. 2010The ConfidantClaude
  10. 2010Whatever She WantsTheodore Wolf
  11. 2009Diary of a Single MomLou Bailey
  12. 2009Set ApartJ.T.
  13. 2008Ladies of the HouseStan
  14. 2008Final ApproachGary Markash
  15. 2008Speed RacerBen Burns
  16. 2007Point of EntryMiles Porter
  17. 2007All The Days Before TomorrowEl Doctor
  18. 2006BrickAssistant V.P. Trueman
  19. 2006Wild SevenLee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
  20. 2005Painkiller JaneColonel Watts
  21. 2004Max Havoc: Curse Of The DragonTahsi
  22. 2003Vegas VampiresRick Apping
  23. 2003Men Cry in the Dark
  24. 2002Boat TripFelicia's Dad
  25. 2002Al's LadsBoom-Boom
  26. 2002Joe and MaxJack Blackburn
  27. 2001Hawaiian GardensM.O.
  28. 2001Corky RomanoHoward Shuster
  29. 2001AntitrustLyle Barton
  30. 2000Shaft"Uncle" John Shaft
  31. 1999Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 YearsBooker T. Washington
  32. 1997SteelUncle Joe
  33. 1997George of the JungleKwame
  34. 1997Any Place But HomeGil Oberman
  35. 1996Original GangstasSlick
  36. 1996Once Upon a Time... When We Were ColoredCleve
  37. 1995Theodore RexCommissioner Lynch
  38. 1995Se7enTalbot
  39. 1995BallisticHarold
  40. 1995Bonanza: Under AttackJacob
  41. 1994Shadows of DesireDunc
  42. 1994Mind TwisterFrank Webb
  43. 1994Black as the HeartRod
  44. 1993Bonanza: The ReturnJacob Briscoe
  45. 1993Amityville: A New GenerationPauli
  46. 1993Deadly RivalsAgent Peterson
  47. 1992Christmas in ConnecticutPrescott
  48. 1992Bloodfist III: Forced to FightSamuel Stark
  49. 1991A Time to DieCaptain Ralph Phipps
  50. 1990Gypsy AngelsDr. Carlson
  51. 1990Bad JimJuly
  52. 1990The BankerLloyd
  53. 1989Crack HouseLt. Johnson
  54. 1989Night VisitorCaptain Crane
  55. 1989Miami CopsGamble
  56. 1988Angel III: The Final ChapterLt. Doniger
  57. 1988Party LineCaptain Barnes
  58. 1988Getting EvenDundee
  59. 1988Maniac CopCommissioner Pike
  60. 1988Daddy Can't ReadJason Ruigh
  61. 1986JocksChip
  62. 1986Opposing ForceStafford
  63. 1986The Fifth MissileCmdr. Frederick Bryce
  64. 1984City HeatDehl Swift
  65. 1984The Baron and the KidFrosty
  66. 1984KillpointAgent Bill Bryant
  67. 1983Young WarriorsSergeant John Austin
  68. 1983Just an Overnight Guest
  69. 1983The Big ScoreGordon
  70. 1982One Down, Two to GoRalph
  71. 1982QPowell
  72. 1981An Eye for an EyeCapt. Stevens
  73. 1981InchonSgt. Augustus Henderson
  74. 1979Day of the AssassinFessler
  75. 1979Game for VulturesGideon Marunga
  76. 1979Escape to AthenaNat Judson
  77. 1979Portrait of a HitmanCoco Morrell
  78. 1975DiamondsArchie
  79. 1975Man FridayFriday
  80. 1974EarthquakeMiles Quade
  81. 1973Shaft in AfricaJohn Shaft
  82. 1973Charley-One-EyeThe Black Man
  83. 1973FirehouseShelly Forsythe
  84. 1972Shaft's Big Score!John Shaft
  85. 1972EmbassyDick Shannon
  86. 1971ShaftJohn Shaft
  87. 1970What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?Interracial Couple