Richard Roundtree was adored in the film and entertainment industries for his classic depiction of the dapper detective John Shaft. Hollywood was shocked by his tragic death, and his admirers were in sorrow. We examine the circumstances around the cause of his death in this succinct investigation in an effort to learn the real reason for the passing of this renowned actor.
Our goal is to shed light on the mysterious events that led to the end of Richard Roundtree’s brilliant life and career in order to pay honor to a man who left an imprint on culture and film while dispelling rumors and mysteries surrounding his passing.
Richard Roundtree Cause of Death
Richard Roundtree, a pioneering actor best remembered for his part in “Shaft” and his contributions to black cinema has died at the age of 81. He passed away from pancreatic cancer at his Los Angeles residence.
Richard Roundtree was truly as a BAMF as Shaft.
Pancreatic cancer is what Death whips out when truly nothing else will stop you.
— Declan Finn, editor/author #IronAge action novels (@DeclanFinnBooks) October 25, 2023
He has already fought the illness. The actor first admitted to having a double mastectomy for breast cancer in 1997. Talking about his illness Roundtree said at the time, “Breast cancer is not gender specific… And men have this cavalier attitude about health issues. I got such positive feedback because I spoke out about it, and it’s been quite a number of years now. I’m a survivor.”
Legendary actor #RichardRoundtree, who starred as the iconic detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller ‘Shaft’ and compassionate father on #BeingMaryJane has passed away at 81 years old. Sending our prayers and condolences to his loved ones & family. 🙏🏽🤍 #BETRemembers pic.twitter.com/TbNSLABc0r
— BET (@BET) October 25, 2023
Samuel L. Jackson Honors the Memory of the Late Richard Roundtree, Actor of Shaft
The terrible news that Richard Roundtree, the original star of the Shaft motion pictures, has passed away at the age of 81 broke earlier tonight. Roundtree would reprise his character for both John Singleton’s 2000 reboot of Shaft and the 2019 relaunch from director Tim Story in addition to appearing in the 1971 original Shaft film and its two sequels Shaft’s Big Score! and Shaft in Africa.
Samuel L. Jackson, who originally played the title character in 2000 before being retconned to play Roundtree’s son for the 2019 film, starred opposite Roundtree in both of those films. The Marvel and Pulp Fiction actor paid respect to Roundtree on social media following the news of his passing.
“Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!” Jackson wrote in an Instagram post, featuring the two of them in the 2019 feature film. “SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!! His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too🤎👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾Love you Brother, I see you walking down the Middle of Main Street in Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song🎶🎶👊🏾coat blowin’ in wind!! Angels whispering, “That Cat SHAFT Is A Bad Mutha, Shutcho Mouth!! But I’m Talkin’ Bout SHAFT!! THEN WE CAN DIGIT👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾‼️‼️‼️‼️
Jackson has already expressed his love for Roundtree as an actor and for the way he portrayed the legendary blaxploitation character after the two of them co-starred in both Shaft films.
This evening, it was revealed that Richard Roundtree had passed away earlier in the day on October 24. Additionally confirming it, Roundtree’s management company Artists & Representatives said in a statement:
“Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Here you can also check more information about Richard Roundtree:
- Richard Roundtree Net Worth: Unravelling the Income of Iconic Actor!
- Who is Richard Roundtree Married to Now? All About His Wife and Children
Richard Roundtree Career
Around 1963, Roundtree started his professional career. When Roundtree was discovered by Eunice W. Johnson, she started modeling in the Ebony Fashion Fair. Roundtree started modeling for items like Johnson items Duke hair oil and Salem cigarettes after his success with the Fashion Fair.
Roundtree became a member of the Negro Ensemble Company in 1967. In the company’s production of The Great White Hope, he played boxing star Jack Johnson in his first performance.
According to J. E. Franklin, he performed in Shauneille Perry’s Off-Off-Broadway production of her play Mau Mau Room, which was performed at St. Mark’s Playhouse in 1969.
Beginning in 2005, Roundtree acted as Charles Deveaux, Simone’s terminally sick father, in Heroes and as Colonel D. B. Walter, U.S.M.C. (retired), the father of a sniper, in the television series The Closer. Next, Roundtree made appearances in episodes of Lincoln Heights as Eddie’s father-in-law.
Then, Roundtree played a racer-turned-commentator who is an icon and hero to Speed in the 2008 movie Speed Racer. Additionally, he co-starred as the father of the main character on Being Mary Jane, which has been shown on BET since 2013, and he played the father of FBI Agent Carrie Ravai in the two-parter of Knight Rider (2008).
Alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessie Usher, who plays John Shaft II and John Shaft III, respectively, in the 2019 sequel Shaft, Roundtree reprised his 2000 film character John Shaft in the comedy What Men Want. While conceding that Roundtree had lied about being Jackson’s Shaft’s uncle in the 2000 film, this time Roundtree’s character was referred to as Jackson’s father. In 2019, he also had a role in the film Family Reunion.
