1 of 2 Richard Roundtree in 2019 in Los Angeles Photo: Richard Shotwell/AP Richard Roundtree in 2019 in Los Angeles Photo: Richard Shotwell/AP
The actor Richard Roundtree, known for his role as John Shaft, died this Tuesday (21) from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. The information was published by the American news website Deadline.
Famous for playing the first black hero in action films, Roundtree rose to prominence in the 1970s playing detective John Shaft, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best new actor.
The first feature film, “Shaft,” released in 1972, won the Oscar for Best Original Soundtrack.
2 of 2 Richard Roundtree (left) in 1972 Photo: AP Richard Roundtree (left) in 1972 Photo: AP
“Shaft” is one of the pioneers of the socalled blaxploitation, a film movement from the 1970s that focused on black actors, producers and filmmakers.
Roundtree also starred in films such as “Fatal Point”, 1984, “Seven”, 1995, “George, the King of the Forest”, 1997, “The End of a Crime”, 2005 and “Speed Racer”. “, from 2008.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for AfricanAmerican protagonists in cinema,” Patrick McMinn, the artist’s manager, told Variety. “The impact he has had on the industry is not scalable.”