Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his starring role in the Shaft franchise, has died at the age of 81. Roundtree, who played the iconic blaxploitation hero John Shaft in five Shaft movies, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tributes have poured in from fellow actors, including Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union, and Taraji P. Henson. Roundtree's portrayal of Shaft helped ignite the blaxploitation genre, although the first Shaft film did not fit the typical definition of the genre. He remained active in the industry for over four decades after his breakthrough role.
While indelibly tied to the role that made him famous in 1971, Richard Roundtree remained active for more than four decades afterward. https://t.co/bv3Wu1Ujn2
Richard Roundtree, the Black actor who changed American cinema as the titular character of the Shaft film series, passed away at the age of 81. https://t.co/kFmhUjPjnJ
Richard Roundtree, the actor who redefined African American masculinity in the movies when he played the title role in “Shaft,” one of the first Black action heroes, died on Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 81. https://t.co/OEH66ZJdsJ
Richard Roundtree Dies, Samuel L. Jackson Pays Tribute https://t.co/FMbkSrYLqO
While indelibly tied to the role that made him famous in 1971, Richard Roundtree remained active for more than four decades afterward. https://t.co/2qdDY64E9j
While indelibly tied to his starring role in “Shaft,” Richard Roundtree remained active for more than four decades afterward. https://t.co/1Ku635bqSJ
“Shaft,” starring Richard Roundtree, created a template for Black action protagonists onscreen. Here are eight of those movies to stream. https://t.co/dHcThRBxHS
While indelibly tied to his starring role in “Shaft,” Richard Roundtree remained active for more than four decades afterward. https://t.co/25767HDawv
While indelibly tied to his starring role in “Shaft,” Richard Roundtree remained active for more than four decades afterward. https://t.co/FFkdpSx29H
Richard Roundtree, star of cult movie #Shaft and so much more, has died aged 81. Read Empire's obituary: https://t.co/cwew7RFIic https://t.co/2V6CO3e75p
Richard Roundtree, the action-movie hero best known for starring in the “Shaft” movie franchise, has died https://t.co/P3TVcvqtmO
Richard Roundtree, the actor who starred in the popular Shaft series and who is famously referred to as the "first black action hero", dies at age 81. https://t.co/nZ3ICoSsRP
Richard Roundtree dies at 81 https://t.co/JteH6LKIuW
Growing up as a little boy, Richard Roundtree was the man we idolized because he was so cool on and off the screen. When Richard starred in Shaft, we all lost our minds! Rest in peace to one of the greats. Cookie and I are praying for Richard’s family and loved ones! 🙏🏾
Samuel L. Jackson Enthusiastically Honors ‘Shaft’ Costar Richard Roundtree: ‘The Best to Ever Do It’ 🔻🔻🔻 https://t.co/0zENcqX0VH
Richard Roundtree, Star of ‘Shaft’ and ‘Roots,’ Dies at 81 🔻🔻🔻 https://t.co/Rup6flCgML
Richard Roundtree, best known for his starring role in the Shaft franchise, died on October 24 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. https://t.co/e2qHcauDrP
RIP Richard Roundtree 1942-2023 #Shaft https://t.co/SrIilqmrk9
Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81. https://t.co/EWiMK0FMb3
Richard Roundtree, 'Shaft' star and Blaxploitation icon, dead at 81 https://t.co/yJqvqQIAhj https://t.co/3MJoaYZ1pt
Richard Roundtree, best known for his starring role in the Shaft franchise, died on October 24 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. https://t.co/xk5CN0pl1z
"Shaft" star Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81. https://t.co/fxX9Rrdcck
Richard Roundtree, the Black actor who changed American cinema as the lead character of Shaft, has died at the age of 81. https://t.co/kFmhUjPjnJ
Godspeed, Richard Roundtree. Icon https://t.co/jY2F5okAwP
'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree dead at 81 https://t.co/pZeWXSSJ4z
Richard Roundtree's career in photos after his death at 81: From Shaft to Being Mary Jane and Family Reunion https://t.co/CMjN2oVHvU https://t.co/sOROQZuNeI
Richard Roundtree, the actor who played the title role in “Shaft,” died on Tuesday. He was 81. https://t.co/b2BcFjYms6
Renowned actor Richard Roundtree passed away at age 81 https://t.co/UeyLkWtvTb https://t.co/dFjbZthUen
Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson are among those paying tribute to Richard Roundtree after his death. https://t.co/jIR8MwjBFU
Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for his starring role in “Shaft” has died at 81-years-old. https://t.co/OEfUVqvm4z
Richard Roundtree, who starred in classic Shaft series, dies aged 81 https://t.co/NixijmJN9b
Richard Roundtree, a Hollywood icon who played John Shaft in the 1971 introduction to the “Shaft” film franchise, has died after a battle with cancer at age 81. https://t.co/RFHYzBYjTz
You’ll likely read or hear with Richard Roundtree’s death that Shaft helped ignite blaxploitation films. But the first Shaft never fit the definition of that genre.
Richard Roundtree, a Hollywood icon who played John Shaft in the 1971 introduction to the 'Shaft' film franchise, has died after a battle with cancer at age 81. https://t.co/S4ajmkEKON
The passing of Richard Roundtree is a real blow. Loved being around him, learning, working, laughing & feeling Blessed to have an idol live up to who I expected him to be!! Thanks for making us feel REAL GOOD about ourselves! Rest In Power‼️‼️‼️👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾🤎🤎 https://t.co/yQq6SXyn9K
Samuel L. Jackson shares tribute to Richard Roundtree: “SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!" Story: https://t.co/SNl7iydaRT https://t.co/SNl7iydaRT
R.I.P. Richard Roundtree, dead at 81. He lit up the screen as “Shaft.” https://t.co/NDx4TwYpPh #RichardRoundtree https://t.co/xfyaj8Dc2L
Richard Roundtree, Black action hero who played 'Shaft,' dead at 81 https://t.co/kQsrYLXI07 https://t.co/lpJ7TRN1HD
Samuel L. Jackson has paid tribute to #Shaft star Richard Roundtree, who died Tuesday afternoon at age 81. "Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!! SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!!" https://t.co/yDLj21UXDk https://t.co/Aik0h6qunN
'Shaft' Star Richard Roundtree Remembered by Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union and More: 'The Best to Ever Do It' https://t.co/Y9UzuRXQdi
Richard Roundtree: Gabrielle Union, Carl Weathers & More Pay Tribute To 'Shaft' Actor https://t.co/eB4M04eLOm
Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson Remember Richard Roundtree: "The Best To Ever Do It” https://t.co/1jekkFp84x
Richard Roundtree, a trailblazing Black actor who played the private eye John Shaft in the ‘Shaft’ films of the 1970s and also took on dramatic roles dealing with race relations in America, dies aged 81 https://t.co/tjeSNRy1zC
Richard Roundtree, the actor most famous for portraying the iconic blaxploitation hero John Shaft across five 'Shaft' movies, has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 81. https://t.co/WWCPbcWyuW
‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree dead at 81 after battle with pancreatic cancer https://t.co/hiWy0GzAfR https://t.co/uNRsLmVsrQ