Richard Roundtree
Acting
Biography
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.
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.
As actor 152
The Mentalist
2008
Grey's Anatomy
2005
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
Chicago Fire
2012
Desperate Housewives
2004
The Closer
2005
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
Heroes
2006
The Love Boat
1977
Murder, She Wrote
1984
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
MacGyver
1985
Magnum, P.I.
1980
L.A. Law
1986
21 Jump Street
1987
Touched by an Angel
1994
Private Practice
2007
Lethal Weapon
2016
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
Se7en
1995
A Different World
1987
Profiler
1996
Renegade
1992
Dinah!
1974
Star
2016
Alias
2001
The Wayans Bros.
1995
Being Mary Jane
2013
Close to Home
2005
Family Reunion
2019
Dream On
1990
Amen
1986
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
Vicki!
1992
Speed Racer
2008
Roots
1977
CHiPs
1977
Blade: The Series
2006
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
George of the Jungle
1997
Roc
1991
Lincoln Heights
2007
Shaft
2019
Shaft
2000
What Men Want
2019
The Player
2015
Soul Food
2000
Hollywood Beat
1985
Undercover Brother
2002
Antitrust
2001
Earthquake
1974
Shaft
1971
Brick
2006
Masquerade
1983
Maniac Cop
1988
Thelma
2024
Boat Trip
2002
Corky Romano
2001
Buddies
1996
Moving On
2023
A.D.
1985
City Heat
1984
Breakdown: 1975
2025
An Eye for an Eye
1981
Escape to Athena
1979
Rescue 77
1999
Shaft in Africa
1973
Shaft
1973
Steel
1997
Theodore Rex
1995
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
2020
Man Friday
1975
Outlaws
1986
Nationtime: Gary
1972
Bad Jim
1990
Shaft's Big Score!
1972
The Banker
1989
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
2002
413 Hope St.
1997
Body of Influence
1994
Q
1982
Gypsy Angels
1990
Party Line
1988
Angel III: The Final Chapter
1988
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
Crack House
1989
Amityville: A New Generation
1993
Ballistic
1995
Young Warriors
1983
Inchon
1981
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
1992
Sins of the Night
1993
Final Approach
2008
Night Visitor
1989
Original Gangstas
1996
Painkiller Jane
2005
Hawaiian Gardens
2001
The Big Score
1983
Point of Entry
2007
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
2004
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
1996
Getting Even
1988
Set Apart
2009
Blind Man's Bluff
1994
Opposing Force
1986
Christmas in Connecticut
1992
Deadly Rivals
1993
Ladies of the House
2008
Wild Seven
2006
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019
Vegas Vampires
2003
Beauty and the Beast
1987
Embassy
1972
Game for Vultures
1979
Diamonds
1975
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008
Bonanza: The Return
1993
Mind Twister
1994
Al's Lads
2002
The Fifth Missile
1986
Joe and Max
2002
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
1971
Bonanza: Under Attack
1995
Day of the Assassin
1979
A Time to Die
1991
Killpoint
1984
Charley-One-Eye
1973
The Confidant
2010
Whatever She Wants
2010
Jocks
1986
One Down, Two to Go
1982
Any Place But Home
1997
The Baron and the Kid
1984
Shadows of Desire
1994
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
Portrait of a Hitman
1979
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
Men Cry in the Dark
2003
Collar
2015
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021
Retreat!
2012
Harlem to Hollywood
2019
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
1970
Miami Cops
1989
Firehouse
1973
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007
Black as the Heart
1994
Daddy Can't Read
1988
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks
1973
