Current:Home > StocksRichard Roundtree, "Shaft" actor, dies at age 81 -Blueprint Capital School
Richard Roundtree, "Shaft" actor, dies at age 81
View
Date:2025-04-27 23:57:39
Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for portraying detective John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has died, his representative told CBS News. He was 81.
Roundtree died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, his representative, Patrick McMinn, said.
Roundtree's career in film and television spanned more than 50 years, including his appearance in five "Shaft" movies and a notable role as Sam Bennett in the iconic 1977 TV miniseries "Roots."
Gordon Parks' "Shaft" was Roundtree's feature film debut. Prior to his breakout, he had worked as a model and stage actor. "Shaft" was an instant success and was followed by two sequels in the next two years, "Shaft's Big Score!" and "Shaft in Africa."
He reprised the role in 2000's "Shaft," starring Samuel L. Jackson, and then once more in the 2019 installment of the franchise, also titled "Shaft."
"Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!! SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!! His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I'm sure a lotta y'all's, too," Jackson wrote on Instagram.
Roundtree has also appeared in dozens of TV shows, including recurring roles in "Generations," an NBC soap opera that ran from 1989-1991, "Heroes" and the BET series "Being Mary Jane."
Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and was successfully treated. He told ABC News in 2009 that he had not told anybody about the diagnosis or treatment for years.
"I was in the closet, so to speak, until after the fifth year when I was cancer-free," he told the outlet. He said he finally opened up about his experience during a celebrity golf tournament that was raising money for a mobile breast cancer diagnostic unit.
- In:
- Obituary
veryGood! (77177)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Maine must release voter rolls to conservative group, court says
- In case over Trump's ballot eligibility, concerned voters make their own pitches to Supreme Court
- California power outage map: Over 100,000 customers remain without power Tuesday as storm batters state
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Connie Schultz's 'Lola and the Troll' fights bullies with a new picture book for children
- Why the NBA trade deadline is so crucial for these six teams
- McDonald’s franchisee agrees to pay $4.4M after manager sexually assaulted teen
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Tracklist Seemingly Hints at Joe Alwyn Breakup Songs
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Sailor missing more than 2 weeks arrives in Hawaii, Coast Guard says
- Horoscopes Today, February 5, 2024
- The Real Reason Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Madix Won't Let Tom Sandoval Buy Their House
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- U.S. Biathlon orders audit of athlete welfare and safety following AP report on sexual harassment
- Everyone hopes the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl won’t come down to an officiating call
- Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
In case over Trump's ballot eligibility, concerned voters make their own pitches to Supreme Court
Kelsea Ballerini shuts down gossip about her reaction to Grammys loss: 'Hurtful to everyone'
At least 99 dead in Chile as forest fires ravage densely populated areas
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Shane Gillis was fired from 'Saturday Night Live' for racist jokes. Now he's hosting.
Popular model sparks backlash for faking her death to bring awareness to cervical cancer
'The economy is different now': Parents pay grown-up kids' bills with retirement savings