Richard Roundtree

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

150

Gender

Male

Birthday

1942-07-09

Day of death

2023-10-24 (81 years old)

Place of Birth

New Rochelle, New York, USA

Richard Roundtree

Biography

Richard 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. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Known For

  • Grey's Anatomy

    Grey's Anatomy

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

  • The Mentalist

    The Mentalist

  • The Mike Douglas Show

    The Mike Douglas Show

  • Chicago Fire

    Chicago Fire

  • Desperate Housewives

    Desperate Housewives

  • Beverly Hills, 90210

    Beverly Hills, 90210

  • The Closer

    The Closer

  • Murder, She Wrote

    Murder, She Wrote

  • The Love Boat

    The Love Boat

  • MacGyver

    MacGyver

  • Heroes

    Heroes

  • Magnum, P.I.

    Magnum, P.I.

  • Touched by an Angel

    Touched by an Angel

  • 21 Jump Street

    21 Jump Street

  • Lethal Weapon

    Lethal Weapon

  • Private Practice

    Private Practice

  • Se7en

    Se7en

  • Renegade

    Renegade

  • A Different World

    A Different World

  • Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

    Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

  • Dinah!

    Dinah!

  • L.A. Law

    L.A. Law

  • Dream On

    Dream On

  • The Wayans Bros.

    The Wayans Bros.

  • Vicki!

    Vicki!

  • Star

    Star

  • Close to Home

    Close to Home

  • Profiler

    Profiler

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

    Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

    Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

  • Family Reunion

    Family Reunion

  • Roots

    Roots

  • Roc

    Roc

  • Amen

    Amen

  • Earthquake

    Earthquake

  • Thelma

    Thelma

  • Shaft

    Shaft

  • George of the Jungle

    George of the Jungle

  • What Men Want

    What Men Want

  • A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

    A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

  • CHiPs

    CHiPs

  • Being Mary Jane

    Being Mary Jane

  • Shaft

    Shaft

  • Blade: The Series

    Blade: The Series

  • Alias

    Alias

  • Lincoln Heights

    Lincoln Heights

  • Moving On

    Moving On

  • Final Approach

    Final Approach

  • Boat Trip

    Boat Trip

  • Embassy

    Embassy

  • The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

    The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

  • Corky Romano

    Corky Romano

  • Point of Entry

    Point of Entry

  • Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight

    Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight

  • Brick

    Brick

  • Charley One-Eye

    Charley One-Eye

  • Speed Racer

    Speed Racer

  • Theodore Rex

    Theodore Rex

  • Deadly Rivals

    Deadly Rivals

  • Killpoint

    Killpoint

  • Q

    Q

  • Masquerade

    Masquerade

  • Soul Food

    Soul Food

  • The Player

    The Player

  • Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon

    Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon

  • Diamonds

    Diamonds

  • Hollywood Beat

    Hollywood Beat

  • Wild Seven

    Wild Seven

  • BaadAsssss Cinema

    BaadAsssss Cinema

  • Original Gangstas

    Original Gangstas

  • Amityville: A New Generation

    Amityville: A New Generation

  • GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event

    GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event

  • A Time to Die

    A Time to Die

  • Miami Cops

    Miami Cops

  • Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored

    Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored

  • City Heat

    City Heat

  • Firehouse

    Firehouse

  • Game for Vultures

    Game for Vultures

  • Antitrust

    Antitrust

  • Portrait of a Hitman

    Portrait of a Hitman

  • Escape to Athena

    Escape to Athena

  • Young Warriors

    Young Warriors

  • One Down, Two to Go

    One Down, Two to Go

  • The Fifth Missile

    The Fifth Missile

  • A.D.

    A.D.

  • Body of Influence

    Body of Influence

  • Steel

    Steel

  • Undercover Brother

    Undercover Brother

  • Diary of a Single Mom

    Diary of a Single Mom

  • Bonanza: The Return

    Bonanza: The Return

  • Maniac Cop

    Maniac Cop

  • Opposing Force

    Opposing Force

  • Sins of the Night

    Sins of the Night

  • Day of the Assassin

    Day of the Assassin

  • The Confidant

    The Confidant

  • Man Friday

    Man Friday

  • Set Apart

    Set Apart

  • Al's Lads

    Al's Lads

  • Black as the Heart

    Black as the Heart

  • Daddy Can't Read

    Daddy Can't Read

  • Buddies

    Buddies

  • Nationtime

    Nationtime

  • Angel III: The Final Chapter

    Angel III: The Final Chapter

  • Joe and Max

    Joe and Max

  • Shaft

    Shaft

  • Ballistic

    Ballistic

  • Mind Twister

    Mind Twister

  • 413 Hope St.

    413 Hope St.

  • Retreat!

    Retreat!

  • Outlaws

    Outlaws

  • Shaft's Big Score!

    Shaft's Big Score!

  • An Eye for an Eye

    An Eye for an Eye

  • The Banker

    The Banker

  • Painkiller Jane

    Painkiller Jane

  • Shadows of Desire

    Shadows of Desire

  • Party Line

    Party Line

  • All The Days Before Tomorrow

    All The Days Before Tomorrow

  • Christmas in Connecticut

    Christmas in Connecticut

  • Jocks

    Jocks

  • Gypsy Angels

    Gypsy Angels

  • The Big Score

    The Big Score

  • Night Visitor

    Night Visitor

  • Blind Man's Bluff

    Blind Man's Bluff

  • Shaft

    Shaft

  • Shaft in Africa

    Shaft in Africa

  • Rescue 77

    Rescue 77

  • Whatever She Wants

    Whatever She Wants

  • Bad Jim

    Bad Jim

  • Haunting of the Mary Celeste

    Haunting of the Mary Celeste

  • Hawaiian Gardens

    Hawaiian Gardens

  • Inchon

    Inchon

  • Ladies of the House

    Ladies of the House

  • The Baron and the Kid

    The Baron and the Kid

  • The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

    The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

  • Bonanza: Under Attack

    Bonanza: Under Attack

  • What Do You Say to a Naked Lady

    What Do You Say to a Naked Lady

  • Beauty and the Beast

    Beauty and the Beast

  • Harlem to Hollywood

    Harlem to Hollywood

  • Men Cry in the Dark

    Men Cry in the Dark

  • Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

    Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

  • Vegas Vampires

    Vegas Vampires

  • Any Place But Home

    Any Place But Home

  • Getting Even

    Getting Even

  • A Family Reunion Christmas

    A Family Reunion Christmas

  • Crack House

    Crack House

  • Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location

    Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location

  • Just an Overnight Guest

    Just an Overnight Guest

  • Collar

    Collar