Los Angeles, CA – Richard Roundtree, celebrated for his portrayal of detective John Shaft in a series of action-packed thrillers, breathed his last on Tuesday at the age of 81.
The news of Roundtree’s passing was confirmed by his manager, who disclosed that the actor succumbed to pancreatic cancer at his residence in Los Angeles.
Patrick McMinn, Roundtree’s manager, shared heartfelt remarks on the actor’s legacy: “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Richard Roundtree’s illustrious Hollywood career spanned more than four decades, gracing both television and cinema screens. His breakthrough moment arrived with “Shaft” in 1971, a film that marked the early days of the Blaxploitation film movement when Roundtree was just 28 years old.
In a 2022 interview, Roundtree reflected on the enduring impact of his iconic character: “I constantly deal with being called Shaft, and it never ceases to blow me away with the impact that character had on my life and my fans’ lives.”
Following his initial success, Roundtree continued to portray John Shaft in a series of sequels and even ventured into a short-lived TV series. His diverse filmography included roles in the legendary miniseries “Roots.”
Notably, Roundtree was a breast cancer survivor, having bravely faced a diagnosis in 1993. He subsequently became an advocate for breast cancer treatment and awareness, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue about the condition.
In a 2009 interview, he stated, “Not talking about my cancer was really tough, and now that I do talk about it all the time, it’s really become a backhanded blessing. I was getting on a plane recently, and a flight attendant ran up to me and said, ‘You saved my husband’s life.’’’’
Tributes have poured in from colleagues who had the privilege of working with Roundtree. Gabrielle Union, who co-starred with him in the series “Being Mary Jane,” expressed her deep admiration for the actor: “Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream. Getting to hang with him and our Being Mary Jane family was always a good time with the best stories and laughs. He was always the coolest man in the room with the best vibes, and people would literally run over to come see him. We all loved him,” Union added.
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SOURCE: huffpost.com