Richard Roundtree
Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor and model, who was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel, as well the eponymous television series (1973-1974). He was also known for his features in several TV series, including Roots, Generations, and Desperate Housewives.
You can find people similar to Richard Roundtree by visiting our lists New Rochelle High School alumni and 2023 deaths.
| Full name at birth | Richard Arnold Roundtree
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| Claim to fame | his roles as John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation crime action thriller film Shaft and four of its subsequent sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel film and its 2019 sequel film, as well as the eponymous television series (1973-1974), Sam Bennett in the ABC epic drama miniseries Roots, Dr. Daniel Reubens in the NBC daytime soap opera Generations, Mr. Kwame in the 1997 comedy film George of the Jungle, and Mr. Shaw in the ABC comedy-drama mystery series Desperate Housewives
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| Date of birth | 9 July 1942
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| Place of birth | New Rochelle, New York, USA
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| Date of death | 24 October 2023
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| Age | 81 (age at death)
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| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA
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| Cause of death | Pancreatic Cancer
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| Occupation | Actor, former Model
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PERSONAL DETAILS
| Height | 6' 3" (190 cm)
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
| Residence | New Rochelle, New York, USA
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| Net worth | $2,000,000 USD
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| High school | New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, New York, United States (1961)
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| University | Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, United States
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| Talent agency | Stone Manners Salners Agency
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![Richard Roundtree - Yours Retro Magazine Pictorial [United Kingdom] (April 2025)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/1/s/1sbvk321nhf62h.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Richard Roundtree - People Magazine Pictorial [United States] (13 November 2023)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/w/o/wofhak2ngak44fgk.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Richard Roundtree, Gwenn Mitchell - Jet Magazine Cover [United States] (8 July 1971)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/y/x/yxb2oyfcixhmocxh.jpg?skj2io4l)
- A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ 'Jack Johnson (VIII)_ (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".
- Has tried to disassociate himself as a "black action hero" ever since he portrayed his famed role as John Shaft in the three Shaft films. From Miles Quade (the African-American motorcycle stuntman in an Evel Knievel mold in Earthquake (1974) to an elderly senior citizen in "Soul Food" (2000), he has came to terms with the fact that he will always be known as Shaft.
- A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ Jack Johnson (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".
- His performance as John Shaft in Shaft (1971) is ranked #62 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
- Former Ebony Fashion Fair model.
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