‘Shaft’ Star Richard Roundtree Dead at 81

Richard Roundtree, well-known for taking part in the lead function in “Shaft,” is useless after a battle with most cancers.

The actor died Monday because of pancreatic most cancers, in response to his supervisor Patrick McMinn. We’re instructed Richard was identified two months in the past, and his household was with him when he died at his residence in Los Angeles.

Richard is finest recognized for taking part in detective John Shaft within the authentic ‘Shaft’ film franchise … together with the 1971 OG movie, “Shaft,” the 1972 sequel “Shaft’s Big Score!” and the 1973 trilogy, “Shaft In Africa.”

RR was thought to be the primary Black motion hero in Hollywood … and his breakthrough efficiency in “Shaft” noticed him nominated for New Star of the Year at the Golden Globe Awards.

The face of the ‘Shaft’ franchise, Richard additionally starred within the 1973 ‘Shaft’ TV collection.

When ‘Shaft’ received a remake in 2000, Richard reprised his function as John Shaft alongside Samuel L Jackson, who performs Shaft’s nephew. He additionally performs the character within the 2019 model.

Richard additionally had a job within the well-known “Roots” miniseries … enjoying the function of Sam Bennett.

More just lately, Richard performed Gabrielle Union‘s father within the drama collection “Being Mary Jane.”

Gabrielle says working with Richard “was a dream” … and she or he’s remembering him as “the coolest man in the room with the BEST vibes.” She says people “literally run over to come see him…we all loved him.”

The final time we talked to Richard was in 2018 when he instructed us about filming ‘Shaft’ reboots with Samuel L.

Richard was 81.