‘Shaft’ star and first Black action movie hero, Richard Roundtree, dead at 81

Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor renowned for his portrayal of the ultra-smooth private detective in the iconic “Shaft” films that debuted in the early 1970s, has passed away at the age of 81. His death occurred at his Los Angeles residence, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Roundtree’s significance in the world of cinema extended beyond his acting talent, as he was considered the first Black action movie hero. He rose to prominence through his role as John Shaft, a New York street-smart private detective, in the 1971 film “Shaft,” directed by Gordon Parks. At the time, Roundtree was a relatively unknown actor, a former college football player, and model. However, at the age of 28, he captivated audiences from the very first moments of the movie. “Shaft” achieved enormous success and played a pivotal role in creating the entire genre of Blaxploitation.

This film marked a shift in how Black movies were perceived in Hollywood, which had previously overlooked Black actors, especially for leading roles. Blaxploitation films of that era primarily targeted African American audiences. Roundtree’s Shaft character embodied a new kind of figure in film—unapologetically Black, exuding confidence, and navigating a world of thugs while delivering memorable one-liners. He effectively challenged white law enforcement and confronted mobsters, providing the Black community with an iconic figure in the 1970s.

The theme song for “Shaft,” composed by Isaac Hayes and featuring the famous line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth),” played a significant role in cementing the original movie in pop culture.

Following the success of “Shaft,” Roundtree reprised his role in sequels such as “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. He also portrayed the savvy detective on the CBS television series “Shaft” in 1973. Later, he returned as John Shaft in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. Roundtree also appeared as Jackson’s uncle in this big-budget production, which aimed to reach a broader audience. Both actors reprised their roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.

Samuel L. Jackson expressed his sentiments on Roundtree’s passing, describing it as a significant loss and commending Roundtree for his mentorship and camaraderie.

Throughout his career, Roundtree accumulated over 150 movie and TV credits, including roles in productions like “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop,” “Se7en,” “What Men Want” with Taraji P. Henson, “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane,” and “Desperate Housewives.”

In 1995, Roundtree was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, reflecting his lasting impact on the world of entertainment.