The American stage and screen actor considered to be “the first black action hero” has died.
According to his agent, Richard Roundtree passed away Tuesday after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81.
Roundtree’s starring role in the 1971 Blaxploitation epic, Shaft, pushed him into the limelight and made him a cultural icon.
In his 50-year career, Roundtree had over 150 screen credits, including TV roles in Roots, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Desperate Housewives.
The passing of Richard Roundtree is a real blow. Loved being around him, learning, working, laughing & feeling Blessed to have an idol live up to who I expected him to be!! Thanks for making us feel REAL GOOD about ourselves!
Rest In Power‼️‼️‼️👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾🤎🤎 pic.twitter.com/yQq6SXyn9K— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) October 25, 2023
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
John Shaft!#RichardRoundtree
pic.twitter.com/GZrWoBtcDq— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) October 25, 2023
Richard, you made our hearts sing and gave us great pride as SHAFT. I will always treasure the fun times on the road. Rest in power. See you on the other side. ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🥲🥲 #RichardRoundtree pic.twitter.com/JfaXLdk362
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) October 25, 2023
Remembering Richard Roundtree. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/4Z2vlDKLkv
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) October 25, 2023
