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Richard Roundtree

Actor

Richard Roundtree

Born July 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York, USADied October 24, 202389 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
Se7en posterFirst watchSe7en19958.4as TalbotTwo homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Brick poster6.8Brick2006Shaft poster6.5Shaft2019Speed Racer poster6.4Speed Racer2008What Men Want poster6.2What Men Want2019George of the Jungle poster5.7George of the Jungle1997Shaft poster6.0Shaft2000Thelma poster6.8Thelma2024Bonanza: The Return poster6.5Bonanza: The Return1993

Filmography

89 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. 1994Body of InfluenceHarry Reams
  43. 1994Mind TwisterFrank Webb
  44. 1994Black as the HeartRod
  45. 1993Sins of the NightLes
  46. 1993Bonanza: The ReturnJacob Briscoe
  47. 1993Amityville: A New GenerationPauli
  48. 1993Deadly RivalsAgent Peterson
  49. 1992Christmas in ConnecticutPrescott
  50. 1992Bloodfist III: Forced to FightSamuel Stark
  51. 1991A Time to DieCaptain Ralph Phipps
  52. 1990Gypsy AngelsDr. Carlson
  53. 1990Bad JimJuly
  54. 1990The BankerLloyd
  55. 1989Crack HouseLt. Johnson
  56. 1989Night VisitorCaptain Crane
  57. 1989Miami CopsGamble
  58. 1988Angel III: The Final ChapterLt. Doniger
  59. 1988Party LineCaptain Barnes
  60. 1988Getting EvenDundee
  61. 1988Maniac CopCommissioner Pike
  62. 1988Daddy Can't ReadJason Ruigh
  63. 1986JocksChip
  64. 1986Opposing ForceStafford
  65. 1986The Fifth MissileCmdr. Frederick Bryce
  66. 1984City HeatDehl Swift
  67. 1984The Baron and the KidFrosty
  68. 1984KillpointAgent Bill Bryant
  69. 1983Young WarriorsSergeant John Austin
  70. 1983Just an Overnight Guest
  71. 1983The Big ScoreGordon
  72. 1982One Down, Two to GoRalph
  73. 1982QPowell
  74. 1981An Eye for an EyeCapt. Stevens
  75. 1981InchonSgt. Augustus Henderson
  76. 1979Day of the AssassinFessler
  77. 1979Game for VulturesGideon Marunga
  78. 1979Escape to AthenaNat Judson
  79. 1979Portrait of a HitmanCoco Morrell
  80. 1975DiamondsArchie
  81. 1975Man FridayFriday
  82. 1974EarthquakeMiles Quade
  83. 1973Shaft in AfricaJohn Shaft
  84. 1973Charley-One-EyeThe Black Man
  85. 1973FirehouseShelly Forsythe
  86. 1972Shaft's Big Score!John Shaft
  87. 1972EmbassyDick Shannon
  88. 1971ShaftJohn Shaft
  89. 1970What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?Interracial Couple