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.
99 movies · 53 shows
Breakdown: 1975
2025·6.8
Thelma
2024·6.8
Moving On
2023·5.9
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021·6.8
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020·5.2
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019·5.9
Harlem to Hollywood
2019·0.0
Shaft
2019·6.5
What Men Want
2019·6.2
Collar
2015·0.0
Retreat!
2012·0.0
The Confidant
2010·4.6
Whatever She Wants
2010·6.7
Diary of a Single Mom
2009·4.0
Set Apart
2009·3.0
Ladies of the House
2008·4.5
Final Approach
2008·5.1
Speed Racer
2008·6.4
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008·7.0
Point of Entry
2007·4.8
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007·7.3
Brick
2006·6.8
Wild Seven
2006·4.3
Painkiller Jane
2005·5.1
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
2004·5.0
Vegas Vampires
2003·4.3
Men Cry in the Dark
2003·7.0
Boat Trip
2002·5.2
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002·6.0
Al's Lads
2002·6.6
Undercover Brother
2002·5.9
Joe and Max
2002·5.1
Hawaiian Gardens
2001·3.0
Corky Romano
2001·4.4
Antitrust
2001·6.0
Shaft
2000·6.0
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999·7.3
Steel
1997·4.3
George of the Jungle
1997·5.7
Any Place But Home
1997·9.0
Original Gangstas
1996·5.6
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
1996·4.2
Theodore Rex
1995·3.7
Se7en
1995·8.4
Ballistic
1995·3.5
Bonanza: Under Attack
1995·6.7
Shadows of Desire
1994·2.6
Blind Man's Bluff
1994·8.0
Body of Influence
1994·4.9
Mind Twister
1994·3.8
Black as the Heart
1994·9.0
Sins of the Night
1993·4.4
Bonanza: The Return
1993·6.5
Amityville: A New Generation
1993·4.3
Deadly Rivals
1993·6.4
Christmas in Connecticut
1992·4.7
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
1992·4.8
A Time to Die
1991·4.5
Gypsy Angels
1990·3.4
Bad Jim
1990·7.5
The Banker
1989·4.4
Crack House
1989·5.5
Night Visitor
1989·4.4
Miami Cops
1989·6.7
Angel III: The Final Chapter
1988·5.4
Party Line
1988·5.2
Getting Even
1988·4.8
Maniac Cop
1988·6.1
Daddy Can't Read
1988·9.0
Jocks
1986·4.3
Opposing Force
1986·4.4
The Fifth Missile
1986·5.5
City Heat
1984·5.5
The Baron and the Kid
1984·8.0
Killpoint
1984·5.2
Young Warriors
1983·3.9
Just an Overnight Guest
1983·7.0
The Big Score
1983·6.0
One Down, Two to Go
1982·4.7
Q
1982·5.7
An Eye for an Eye
1981·5.2
Inchon
1981·3.9
Day of the Assassin
1979·4.9
Game for Vultures
1979·5.2
Escape to Athena
1979·5.7
Portrait of a Hitman
1979·5.2
Diamonds
1975·5.3
Man Friday
1975·6.7
Earthquake
1974·6.1
Shaft in Africa
1973·6.1
Charley-One-Eye
1973·5.2
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks
1973·6.0
Firehouse
1973·5.0
Nationtime: Gary
1972·8.0
Shaft's Big Score!
1972·6.1
Embassy
1972·6.5
Shaft
1971·6.4
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
1971·7.3
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
1970·5.0