Richard Roundtree, the pioneering actor who played the ultra-fluid personal detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.
Roundtree’s former manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.
“Richard’s painting and career were a turning point for prominent African-American men,” McMinn said. “You can’t underestimate the effect it’s had on the industry. “
Roundtree, born in New Rochelle, New York, is considered the first black action hero and has become one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre thanks to his intelligent New York street character, John Shaft, in the 1971 film directed by Gordon. At 28, it was Roundtree’s first film appearance after beginning her modeling career.
Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a shift in the way film noir was viewed in Hollywood, which didn’t include black actors, especially for lead roles, on projects at the time. Blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at African-American audiences.
In the film, his character navigates the world of bullies. He uttered popular words such as “It is my duty to please this spoil. “
“What we were doing was a smart, old-fashioned shooting on Saturday afternoon,” Roundtree said in an interview with The Associated Press in 2000.
The theme song for Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft,” which included the word “You a bad mother— (Shut your Mouth),” helped insinuate the original film into the pop cult consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, called the song “like the hit that was heard around the world. “His bachelor won the Academy Award for Best Song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.
After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in the sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he again played the intelligent detective in the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.
Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 film “Shaft”, a revival starring Samuel L. Jackson. He gave the impression of being Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film aimed at the general public. Both gave the impression in the same roles in the 2019 film. movie starring Jessie T. Usher.
Jackson called Roundtree a “prototype” and “the most productive thing ever made” in a social media post.
“SHAFT, as we know it, is and will be his creation,” he said of Roundtree. “His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure many of you will as well. “
During his career spanning more than 50 years, Roundtree has worked on several other notable films, including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop,” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” with Taraji. P. Henson. She also made her mark with television roles in “Magnum P. I. ,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat. “
In 1995, Roundtree won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie Awards.
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