Richard Roundtree
Department: Acting
Biography
Richard 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. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Known For
Shaft
2000
Shaft
1971
Shaft's Big Score!
1972
Shaft in Africa
1973
Wild Seven
2006
Se7en
1995
George of the Jungle
1997
Earthquake
1974
Al's Lads
2002
Young Warriors
1983
Speed Racer
2008
Steel
1997
Amityville: A New Generation
1993
Brick
2006
Antitrust
2001
The Banker
1989
Q
1982
Opposing Force
1986
Escape to Athena
1979
Theodore Rex
1995
Maniac Cop
1988
An Eye for an Eye
1981
The Confidant
2010
City Heat
1984
Ladies of the House
2008
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
Corky Romano
2001
Angel III: The Final Chapter
1988
Jocks
1986
Crack House
1989
The Baron and the Kid
1984
Hawaiian Gardens
2001
Portrait of a Hitman
1979
Painkiller Jane
2005
Charley One-Eye
1973
A Time to Die
1991
Man Friday
1975
Christmas in Connecticut
1992
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
1992
One Down, Two to Go
1982
Night Visitor
1989
The Big Score
1983
Diamonds
1975
Men Cry in the Dark
2003
Party Line
1988
Getting Even
1988
Bad Jim
1990
Moving On
2023
Joe and Max
2002
Inchon
1981
The Fifth Missile
1986
Set Apart
2009
Sins of the Night
1993
Gypsy Angels
1990
Day of the Assassin
1979
Game for Vultures
1979
Any Place But Home
1997
Undercover Brother
2002
Killpoint
1984
Blind Man's Bluff
1994
Deadly Rivals
1993
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
1970
Original Gangstas
1996
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007
Whatever She Wants
2010
Thelma
2024
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
2004
Embassy
1972
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
1996
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999
Body of Influence
1994
Harlem to Hollywood
2019
Boat Trip
2002
Retreat!
2012
Daddy Can't Read
1988
Mind Twister
1994
Point of Entry
2007
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
1971
Firehouse
1973
Shadows of Desire
1994
Shaft
2019
Miami Cops
1989
Bonanza: The Return
1993
Bonanza: Under Attack
1995
Collar
2015
Black as the Heart
1994
What Men Want
2019
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
Nationtime
1972
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020
Final Approach
2008
Vegas Vampires
2003
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021
Ballistic
1995
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks
1973
A Different World
1987
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Magnum, P.I.
1980
CHiPs
1977
Rescue 77
1999
Lincoln Heights
2007
The Closer
2005
Desperate Housewives
2004
L.A. Law
1986
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
Heroes
2006
Alias
2001
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
The Wayans Bros.
1995
Beauty and the Beast
1987
Family Reunion
2019
Soul Food
2000
MacGyver
1985
Profiler
1996
Outlaws
1986
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
Blade: The Series
2006
Close to Home
2005
Shaft
1973
Amen
1986
Buddies
1996
Hollywood Beat
1985
413 Hope St.
1997
Renegade
1992
Masquerade
1983
Being Mary Jane
2013
Grey's Anatomy
2005
The Mentalist
2008
The Player
2015
Chicago Fire
2012
Private Practice
2007
Dinah!
1974
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
Vicki!
1992
Roots
1977
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
Roc
1991
A.D.
1985
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
Lethal Weapon
2016
Touched by an Angel
1994
The Love Boat
1977
Dream On
1990
Star
2016
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
2020
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
21 Jump Street
1987
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
2002
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992