Richard Roundtree, Star of “Shaft,” Dies at 81

Richard Roundtree, Star of “Shaft,” Dies at 81

Actor Richard Roundtree has died at the age of 81.

Best known for his role as detective John Shaft in the action movie Shaft and its sequels, Roundtree was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in 1972. 

According to Variety, his death was confirmed by Patrick McMinn, his manager since 1987.

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

Variety continues: 

“Roundtree was a leading man from the very start of his lifetime in screen acting. After beginning his career in modeling, he secured 'Shaft' at the age of 28, marking his feature debut. The MGM release earned $12 million in ticket sales off of a $500,000 production budget, helping to save the studio from bankruptcy. 

A breakthrough hit, 'Shaft' set the tone for a prolific decade of Blaxploitation filmmaking and demonstrated Hollywood’s historical failure to consider Black talent and the moviegoing audiences that they could reach.”

Roundtree was married twice, first to Mary Jane Grant from 1963 to 1973, then to Karen M. Cierna, from 1980 to 1998. He is survived by his four daughters, Nicole, Tayler, Morgan and Kelli Roundtree, and his son, James.