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Richard Roundtree, the American actor best known for his roles in the Shaft film series, has died aged 81.
His manager Patrick McMinn said Roundtree was surrounded by his family at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon when he died.
He passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Richard’s work and career were a turning point for African-American leading actors in film,” McMinn told .
“The impact he has had on the industry cannot be overstated,” he added.
In 1993, Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy.
He later said: “Breast cancer is not gender specific. And men have this cavalier attitude towards health issues. I’ve gotten such positive feedback because I’ve been talking about it for a few years now. I am a survivor.”
Roundtree was married twice and leaves four daughters and a son.
Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York. According to the New York Times, his parents, John Roundtree and Kathryn (Watkins) Roundtree, were recorded in the 1940 census as butler and cook in the same household.
He attended New Rochelle High School and played for their football team.
(Invision 2019)
Shaft, released in 1971, catapulted Roundtree to stardom at the age of 29.
After Shaft, Roundtree tested out various roles in other films. Alongside Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, he was part of the star cast of the disaster film Earthquake (1974).
He also took the title role in Man Friday (1975), portraying a lively, generous partner to Peter O’Toole’s 17th-century explorer Robinson Crusoe.
In Inchon (1981), Roundtree played an army officer on General Douglas MacArthur’s (Laurence Olivier) staff in Korea. He shared the screen with Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds in City Heat (1984) and faced off against a colossal flying lizard in Q (1982).
once quoted him as saying that his father “came to visit me in LA and I complained about it.” [how] “The Shaft character shows up 24/7.” His father said to him, “Boy, let me tell you something. Many people leave this earth without knowing anything. Keep your mouth shut.”
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Richard Roundtree in “Shaft”
(Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
“Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree,” the agency said in a statement.
“His groundbreaking career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his lasting legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Samuel L. Jackson, who took over the Shaft film series in 2000, paid tribute to the actor on his social media. “Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, the best thing ever!! SHAFT, as we know, is and remains his creation!,” he wrote.
“His death leaves a deep hole not only in my heart but, I am sure, in many of you as well. I love you, brother, I see you walking down the middle of Main Street in “Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song,” referencing the famous theme from the late Isaac Hayes’ Oscar-winning “Shaft.”