‘Shaft’ Star Richard Roundtree Dead at 81

Richard Roundtree, well-known for enjoying the lead position in “Shaft,” is useless after a battle with most cancers.

The actor died Monday because of pancreatic most cancers, in accordance with his supervisor Patrick McMinn. We’re advised Richard was identified two months in the past, and his household was with him when he died at his residence in Los Angeles.

Richard is finest recognized for enjoying detective John Shaft within the authentic ‘Shaft’ film franchise … together with the 1971 OG movie, “Shaft,” the 1972 sequel “Shaft’s Massive Rating!” and the 1973 trilogy, “Shaft In Africa.”

RR was considered the primary Black motion hero in Hollywood … and his breakthrough efficiency in “Shaft” noticed him nominated for New Star of the 12 months on the Golden Globe Awards.

The face of the ‘Shaft’ franchise, Richard additionally starred within the 1973 ‘Shaft’ TV sequence.

When ‘Shaft’ obtained a remake in 2000, Richard reprised his position as John Shaft alongside Samuel L Jackson, who performs Shaft’s nephew. He additionally performs the character within the 2019 model.

Richard additionally had a job within the well-known “Roots” miniseries … enjoying the position of Sam Bennett.

Extra just lately, Richard performed Gabrielle Union‘s father within the drama sequence “Being Mary Jane.”

Gabrielle says working with Richard “was a dream” … and he or she’s remembering him as “the good man within the room with the BEST vibes.” She says people “would actually come over to see him.”

The final time we talked to Richard was in 2018 when he advised us about filming ‘Shaft’ reboots with Samuel L.

Richard was 81.