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RIP: 'Shaft' Actor Richard Roundtree Dies at 81

Amy Curtis

Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his role as Detective John Shaft, has died of pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.

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Deadline writes:

Richard Roundtree, who broke ground with his signature role in the Shaft movie franchise, passed away this afternoon, Oct. 24, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer with his family at his bedside. He was 81.

Roundtree’s career spanned five decades and included everything from his most popular blaxploitation role to a very early appearance on As the World Turns in 1956 to being a Season 2 main cast member on Ava DuVernay’s OWN series Cherish the Day last year.

For his performance in the original film, Roundtree was nominated for a New Star of the Year Golden Globe and hailed as the first Black action hero. More importantly, the films made Shaft a cultural hero, a symbol of Black power onscreen, at the box office and beyond. Even the Academy took notice, as Isaac Hayes’ propulsive “Theme from Shaft” won the Oscar that year for Best Song – Original for the Picture.

Roundtree and his signature role had a profound effect on filmmakers both Black and white.

Decades later, the actor reprised his role in the 2000 John Singleton movie Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel.

He had quite the career and influence.

The soundtrack is iconic.

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He is shaft.

It was a significant body of work, spanning 50 years.

Shut your mouth.

(C'mon, we had to put that in here somewhere).

Just a little bit, yes.

We mourn too, Waco Kid.

Shaft will always remain a pop culture icon.

Shaft.

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Yes, it does.

For the record, $12 million in 1971 is about $95 million today.

Roundtree is survived by daughters Kelli, Nicole, Tayler and Morgan, and a son, John. 

Our condolences to his family and loved ones.

***

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