Current:Home > News‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree, considered the ‘first Black action’ movie hero, has died at 81-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree, considered the ‘first Black action’ movie hero, has died at 81
lotradecoin deposit View Date:2024-12-26 04:04:30
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing Black actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective “Shaft” in several films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.
Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Roundtree was considered as the “first Black action hero” and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.
Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors – especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African American audiences.
In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”
Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-cult consciousness.
After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.
Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.
Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”
In 1995, Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie & TV awards.
veryGood! (34)
Related
- Horoscopes Today, August 14, 2024
- When is the World Cup final? Everything to know for England vs. Spain
- 'All hands on deck': 500-pound alligator caught during Alabama hunting season
- Texas woman's arm healing after hawk-snake attack, but the nightmares linger
- Usher Cancels Atlanta Concert Hours Before Show to Rest and Heal
- 'Barbie' takes another blow with ban in Algeria 1 month after release
- Dominican firefighters find more bodies as they fight blaze from this week’s explosion; 13 killed
- 'The Blind Side' subject Michael Oher's blockbuster lawsuit against Tuohy family explained
- A weatherman had a panic attack live on air. What it teaches us.
- Former NFL running back Alex Collins dies in Florida motorcycle crash, authorities say
Ranking
- A weatherman had a panic attack live on air. What it teaches us.
- Transportation disaster closes schools, leaves students stranded in Louisville, Kentucky
- Texas woman's arm healing after hawk-snake attack, but the nightmares linger
- For Cowboys, 5-foot-5 rookie RB Deuce Vaughn's potential impact is no small thing
- The president of Columbia University has resigned, effective immediately
- Man sentenced to 11 years for sexual assault of girl during remote-learning class
- Fresh look at DNA from glacier mummy Oetzi the Iceman traces his roots to present day Turkey
- New study finds far more hurricane-related deaths in US, especially among poor and vulnerable
Recommendation
-
Oklahoma city approves $7M settlement for man wrongfully imprisoned for decades
-
Tuohy family calls Michael Oher's legal action over 'Blind Side' a 'shakedown' attempt
-
8 North Dakota newspapers cease with family business’s closure
-
Protesters march through Miami to object to Florida’s Black history teaching standards
-
Drugs to treat diabetes, heart disease and blood cancers among those affected by price negotiations
-
Cole Sprouse Details Death Threats, Nasty, Honestly Criminal Stuff He's Received Amid Riverdale
-
Police change account of fatal shooting by Philadelphia officer, saying driver was shot inside car
-
Tennessee man who killed 8 gets life in prison in surprise plea deal after new evidence surfaces