Renowned actor Richard Roundtree, celebrated for his iconic role as private eye John Shaft, has passed away at the age of 81.
The actor succumbed to pancreatic cancer on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 25, 2023.
He was surrounded by his family in the comfort of his Los Angeles home, according to his manager, Patrick McMinn, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree embarked on his acting journey in the early 1960s.
At the age of 29, he rose to stardom with his groundbreaking portrayal of detective John Shaft, a character often described as “the cat that won’t cop out when there’s danger all about.”
McMinn, reflecting on Roundtree’s legacy, stated, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”