Richard Roundtree
Actor
Biography
Richard 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.
He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Filmography
George of the Jungle
as Kwame 1997
Shaft
as John Shaft, Sr. 2019
Speed Racer
as Ben Burns 2008
What Men Want
as Skip Davis 2019
Shaft
as "Uncle" John Shaft 2000
Brick
as Assistant V.P. Trueman 2006
Boat Trip
as Felicia's Dad 2002
Antitrust
as Lyle Barton 2001
Maniac Cop
as Commissioner Pike 1988
Q
as Powell 1982
Undercover Brother
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited) 2002
Bonanza: The Return
as Jacob Briscoe 1993
Shaft
as John Shaft 1971
Thelma
as Ben 2024
Earthquake
as Miles Quade 1974
Steel
as Uncle Joe 1997