Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree

Acting

Born:
1942-07-09
Died:
2023-10-24
Place of birth:
New Rochelle, New York, USA

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.

Known For

Filmography

Breakdown: 1975

Breakdown: 1975

6.92025(archive footage)
Movie
Thelma

Thelma

6.82024Ben
Movie
Moving On

Moving On

5.82023Ralph
Movie
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

6.82021Self
Movie
Haunting of the Mary Celeste

Haunting of the Mary Celeste

5.12020Tulls
Movie
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event

GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event

6.92020Grandpa
TV
A Family Reunion Christmas

A Family Reunion Christmas

5.92019Jebidiah McKellan
Movie
Family Reunion

Family Reunion

8.02019Grandpa
TV
Harlem to Hollywood

Harlem to Hollywood

2019Self
Movie
Shaft

Shaft

6.52019John Shaft, Sr.
Movie
What Men Want

What Men Want

6.22019Skip Davis
Movie
Star

Star

8.02016Charles Floyd
TV
Lethal Weapon

Lethal Weapon

7.32016Don Bennett
TV
The Player

The Player

6.32015Samuel Letts
TV
Collar

Collar

2015Alonzo Sparks
Movie
Being Mary Jane

Being Mary Jane

7.02013Paul Patterson, Sr.
TV
Django Unchained

Django Unchained

8.22012Thanks
Movie
Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire

8.42012Wallace Boden, Sr.
TV
Retreat!

Retreat!

2012Henshaw
Movie
The Confidant

The Confidant

4.62010Claude
Movie
Whatever She Wants

Whatever She Wants

6.72010Theodore Wolf
Movie
Diary of a Single Mom

Diary of a Single Mom

4.02009Lou Bailey
Movie
Set Apart

Set Apart

3.02009J.T.
Movie
Ladies of the House

Ladies of the House

4.52008Stan
Movie
The Mentalist

The Mentalist

8.42008Floyd Benton
TV
Final Approach

Final Approach

5.12008Gary Markash
Movie
Speed Racer

Speed Racer

6.42008Ben Burns
Movie
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family

Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family

7.02008Ben Burns
Movie
Point of Entry

Point of Entry

4.82007Miles Porter
Movie
Private Practice

Private Practice

7.52007Raymond McCray
TV
All The Days Before Tomorrow

All The Days Before Tomorrow

7.32007El Doctor
Movie
Lincoln Heights

Lincoln Heights

8.72007
TV
Heroes

Heroes

7.42006Charles Deveaux
TV
Blade: The Series

Blade: The Series

6.42006
TV
Brick

Brick

6.82006Assistant V.P. Trueman
Movie
Wild Seven

Wild Seven

4.42006Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Movie
Painkiller Jane

Painkiller Jane

5.12005Colonel Watts
Movie
Close to Home

Close to Home

5.92005Cyrus Carter
TV
The Closer

The Closer

7.82005Col. D.B. Walter
TV
Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy

8.22005Donald Burke
TV
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon

Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon

4.92004Tahsi
Movie
Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives

7.92004Mr. Shaw
TV
Vegas Vampires

Vegas Vampires

4.22003Rick Apping
Movie
Men Cry in the Dark

Men Cry in the Dark

7.02003
Movie
Boat Trip

Boat Trip

5.22002Felicia's Dad
Movie
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

7.02002Self - Narrator (voice)
TV
BaadAsssss Cinema

BaadAsssss Cinema

6.02002Self
Movie
Al's Lads

Al's Lads

6.52002Boom-Boom
Movie
Undercover Brother

Undercover Brother

5.92002John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie
Joe and Max

Joe and Max

5.12002Jack Blackburn
Movie
Hawaiian Gardens

Hawaiian Gardens

3.02001M.O.
Movie
Corky Romano

Corky Romano

4.52001Howard Shuster
Movie
Alias

Alias

6.82001Brill
TV
Antitrust

Antitrust

6.02001Lyle Barton
Movie
Soul Food

Soul Food

7.22000Hardy Lester
TV
Shaft

Shaft

6.02000"Uncle" John Shaft
Movie
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

7.31999Booker T. Washington
Movie
Rescue 77

Rescue 77

5.01999Captain Durfee
TV
413 Hope St.

413 Hope St.

8.01997Phil Thomas
TV
Steel

Steel

4.21997Uncle Joe
Movie