Richard Roundtree

Born: 1942-07-09, New Rochelle, New York, USA

Died: 2023-10-24

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.

Filmography

• The Mentalist (2008)
• Grey's Anatomy (2005)
• Chicago Fire (2012)
• The Love Boat (1977)
• The Closer (2005)
• Murder, She Wrote (1984)
• MacGyver (1985)
• Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)
• Magnum, P.I. (1980)
• L.A. Law (1986)
• Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)
• A Different World (1987)
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
• Renegade (1992)
• Profiler (1996)
• Touched by an Angel (1994)
• The Wayans Bros. (1995)
• Close to Home (2005)
• Alias (2001)
• Dream On (1990)
• Star (2016)
• Amen (1986)
• Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992)
• Blade: The Series (2006)
• Being Mary Jane (2013)
• Speed Racer (2008)
• Roots (1977)
• George of the Jungle (1997)
• Shaft (2000)
• What Men Want (2019)