Richard Roundtree
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- July 9, 1942
- Died
- October 24, 2023
- Birthplace
- New Rochelle, New York, USA
Richard Arnold 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. Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory. His family hosted a memorial service for him at Saint Catherine African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, New York on February 17, 2024.
Filmography
Breakdown: 1975 2025
as (archive footage)
Thelma 2024
as Ben, In Memory Of
Moving On 2023
as Ralph
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks 2021
as Self
Haunting of the Mary Celeste 2020
as Tulls
A Family Reunion Christmas 2019
as Jebidiah McKellan
Harlem to Hollywood 2019
as Self
Shaft 2019
as John Shaft, Sr.
What Men Want 2019
as Skip Davis
Collar 2015
as Alonzo Sparks
Django Unchained 2012
Thanks
Retreat! 2012
as Henshaw
The Confidant 2010
as Claude
Whatever She Wants 2010
as Theodore Wolf
Diary of a Single Mom 2009
as Lou Bailey
Set Apart 2009
as J.T.
Ladies of the House 2008
as Stan
Final Approach 2008
as Gary Markash
Speed Racer 2008
as Ben Burns
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family 2008
as Ben Burns
Point of Entry 2007
as Miles Porter
All The Days Before Tomorrow 2007
as El Doctor
Brick 2006
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Wild Seven 2006
as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Painkiller Jane 2005
as Colonel Watts
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon 2004
as Tahsi
Vegas Vampires 2003
as Rick Apping
Men Cry in the Dark 2003
Actor
Boat Trip 2002
as Felicia's Dad
BaadAsssss Cinema 2002
as Self
Al's Lads 2002
as Boom-Boom
Undercover Brother 2002
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Joe and Max 2002
as Jack Blackburn
Hawaiian Gardens 2001
as M.O.
Corky Romano 2001
as Howard Shuster
Antitrust 2001
as Lyle Barton
Shaft 2000
as "Uncle" John Shaft
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years 1999
as Booker T. Washington
Steel 1997
as Uncle Joe
George of the Jungle 1997
as Kwame
Any Place But Home 1997
as Gil Oberman
Original Gangstas 1996
as Slick
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored 1996
as Cleve
Theodore Rex 1995
as Commissioner Lynch
Se7en 1995
as Talbot
Ballistic 1995
as Harold
Bonanza: Under Attack 1995
as Jacob
Shadows of Desire 1994
as Dunc
Body of Influence 1994
as Harry Reams
Mind Twister 1994
as Frank Webb
Black as the Heart 1994
as Rod
Sins of the Night 1993
as Les
Bonanza: The Return 1993
as Jacob Briscoe
Amityville: A New Generation 1993
as Pauli
Deadly Rivals 1993
as Agent Peterson
Christmas in Connecticut 1992
as Prescott
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight 1992
as Samuel Stark
A Time to Die 1991
as Captain Ralph Phipps
Gypsy Angels 1990
as Dr. Carlson
Bad Jim 1990
as July
The Banker 1990
as Lloyd
Crack House 1989
as Lt. Johnson
Night Visitor 1989
as Captain Crane
Miami Cops 1989
as Gamble
Angel III: The Final Chapter 1988
as Lt. Doniger
Party Line 1988
as Captain Barnes
Getting Even 1988
as Dundee
Maniac Cop 1988
as Commissioner Pike
Daddy Can't Read 1988
as Jason Ruigh
Jocks 1986
as Chip
Opposing Force 1986
as Stafford
The Fifth Missile 1986
as Cmdr. Frederick Bryce
City Heat 1984
as Dehl Swift
The Baron and the Kid 1984
as Frosty
Killpoint 1984
as Agent Bill Bryant
Young Warriors 1983
as Sergeant John Austin
Just an Overnight Guest 1983
Actor
The Big Score 1983
as Gordon
One Down, Two to Go 1982
as Ralph
Q 1982
as Powell
An Eye for an Eye 1981
as Capt. Stevens
Inchon 1981
as Sgt. Augustus Henderson
Day of the Assassin 1979
as Fessler
Game for Vultures 1979
as Gideon Marunga
Escape to Athena 1979
as Nat Judson
Portrait of a Hitman 1979
as Coco Morrell
Diamonds 1975
as Archie
Man Friday 1975
as Friday
Earthquake 1974
as Miles Quade
Shaft in Africa 1973
as John Shaft
Charley-One-Eye 1973
as The Black Man
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks 1973
as Self / Shaft (archive footage)
Firehouse 1973
as Shelly Forsythe
Nationtime: Gary 1972
as Self
Shaft's Big Score! 1972
as John Shaft
Embassy 1972
as Dick Shannon
Shaft 1971
as John Shaft
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location 1971
as Self
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady? 1970
as Interracial Couple
Credits from TMDB.