Richard Roundtree
Known for Acting · 151 credits
- Born
- 1942-07-09
- Died
- 2023-10-24
- Place of birth
- New Rochelle, New York, USA
- Also known as
- Richard Arnold Roundtree
Biography
Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972.
Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory. His family hosted a memorial service for him at Saint Catherine African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, New York on February 17, 2024.
Known For
TV Shows (53)
The Mentalist
2008
as Floyd Benton
Grey's Anatomy
2005
as Donald Burke
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
Chicago Fire
2012
as Wallace Boden, Sr.
Desperate Housewives
2004
as Mr. Shaw
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
The Closer
2005
as Col. D.B. Walter
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Kevin Cooper
The Love Boat
1977
as Dave Wilbur
MacGyver
1985
as R.T. Hines
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
as Robinson Ashe Jr.
Heroes
2006
as Charles Deveaux
Lethal Weapon
2016
as Don Bennett
L.A. Law
1986
as Judge Ira Menday
Magnum, P.I.
1980
as Peter Jordan
Private Practice
2007
as Raymond McCray
21 Jump Street
1987
as Ben Halley
Touched by an Angel
1994
as Murray
Renegade
1992
A Different World
1987
as Clinton Reese
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
as 'Barracuda' Jim Barnes
Profiler
1996
as Det. James Henegar
Star
2016
as Charles Floyd
The Wayans Bros.
1995
as Dr. Saunders
Vicki!
1992
as Self
Dinah!
1974
as Self
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
as Dr. Mumford
Close to Home
2005
as Cyrus Carter
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
as General (uncredited) / Chester Cooper
Amen
1986
Dream On
1990
as Dr. Charles
Family Reunion
2019
as Grandpa
Roots
1977
as Sam Bennett
CHiPs
1977
as Sgt. Aikens
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
Alias
2001
as Brill
Being Mary Jane
2013
as Paul Patterson, Sr.
Blade: The Series
2006
Masquerade
1983
as Mean Willy
Lincoln Heights
2007
The Player
2015
as Samuel Letts
Roc
1991
as Russell Emerson
Soul Food
2000
as Hardy Lester
A.D.
1985
as Serpenius
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
2020
as Grandpa
Hollywood Beat
1985
Buddies
1996
as Henry Carlisle
Rescue 77
1999
as Captain Durfee
413 Hope St.
1997
as Phil Thomas
Shaft
1973
as John Shaft
Outlaws
1986
as Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
2002
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Beauty and the Beast
1987
as Cleon Manning
Movies (98)
Se7en
1995
as Talbot
George of the Jungle
1997
as Kwame
Speed Racer
2008
as Ben Burns
What Men Want
2019
as Skip Davis
Shaft
2000
as "Uncle" John Shaft
Shaft
2019
as John Shaft, Sr.
Undercover Brother
2002
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Nationtime: Gary
1972
as Self
Thelma
2024
as Ben
Brick
2006
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Boat Trip
2002
as Felicia's Dad
Getting Even
1988
as Dundee
Shaft
1971
as John Shaft
Earthquake
1974
as Miles Quade
Party Line
1988
as Captain Barnes
Body of Influence
1994
as Harry Reams
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
1971
as Self
Corky Romano
2001
as Howard Shuster
Bad Jim
1990
as July
Vegas Vampires
2003
as Rick Apping
Hawaiian Gardens
2001
as M.O.
Steel
1997
as Uncle Joe
Man Friday
1975
as Friday
An Eye for an Eye
1981
as Capt. Stevens
Q
1982
as Powell
Antitrust
2001
as Lyle Barton
Harlem to Hollywood
2019
as Self
Maniac Cop
1988
as Commissioner Pike
Escape to Athena
1979
as Nat Judson
Inchon
1981
as Sgt. Augustus Henderson
Angel III: The Final Chapter
1988
as Lt. Doniger
Moving On
2023
as Ralph
City Heat
1984
as Dehl Swift
The Big Score
1983
as Gordon
Sins of the Night
1993
as Les
Painkiller Jane
2005
as Colonel Watts
Night Visitor
1989
as Captain Crane
Shaft's Big Score!
1972
as John Shaft
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
as Self
Jocks
1986
as Chip
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008
as Ben Burns
Bonanza: Under Attack
1995
as Jacob
Bonanza: The Return
1993
as Jacob Briscoe
Shaft in Africa
1973
as John Shaft
Whatever She Wants
2010
as Theodore Wolf
Joe and Max
2002
as Jack Blackburn
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
as Lou Bailey
The Fifth Missile
1986
as Cmdr. Frederick Bryce
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019
as Jebidiah McKellan
Original Gangstas
1996
as Slick
The Banker
1989
as Lloyd
Men Cry in the Dark
2003
Theodore Rex
1995
as Commissioner Lynch
Amityville: A New Generation
1993
as Pauli
Opposing Force
1986
as Stafford
Ballistic
1995
as Harold
Ladies of the House
2008
as Stan
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020
as Tulls
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021
as Self
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
Crack House
1989
as Lt. Johnson
Any Place But Home
1997
as Gil Oberman
Final Approach
2008
as Gary Markash
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
2004
as Tahsi
Christmas in Connecticut
1992
as Prescott
Young Warriors
1983
as Sergeant John Austin
One Down, Two to Go
1982
as Ralph
Portrait of a Hitman
1979
as Coco Morrell
Point of Entry
2007
as Miles Porter
Al's Lads
2002
as Boom-Boom
Day of the Assassin
1979
as Fessler
Charley-One-Eye
1973
as The Black Man
A Time to Die
1991
as Captain Ralph Phipps
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
1992
as Samuel Stark
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
1996
as Cleve
Game for Vultures
1979
as Gideon Marunga
Blind Man's Bluff
1994
as Gray
Killpoint
1984
as Agent Bill Bryant
Mind Twister
1994
as Frank Webb
Collar
2015
as Alonzo Sparks
Firehouse
1973
as Shelly Forsythe
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
1970
as Interracial Couple
The Confidant
2010
as Claude
The Baron and the Kid
1984
as Frosty
Diamonds
1975
as Archie
Gypsy Angels
1990
as Dr. Carlson
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999
as Booker T. Washington
Black as the Heart
1994
as Rod
Wild Seven
2006
as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Daddy Can't Read
1988
as Jason Ruigh
Shadows of Desire
1994
as Dunc
Deadly Rivals
1993
as Agent Peterson
Embassy
1972
as Dick Shannon
Set Apart
2009
as J.T.
Miami Cops
1989
as Gamble
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007
as El Doctor
Retreat!
2012
as Henshaw
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks
1973
as Self / Shaft (archive footage)
About Richard Roundtree
Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972. Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory. His family hosted a memorial service for him a… With 151 credits spanning from 1961 to 2024, Richard Roundtree has appeared in 98 films and 53 TV shows.
Fans searching for Richard Roundtree movies, Richard Roundtree filmography, or the latest projects starring Richard Roundtree can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Roundtree Movies
- Se7en (1995) — as Talbot
- George of the Jungle (1997) — as Kwame
- Speed Racer (2008) — as Ben Burns
- What Men Want (2019) — as Skip Davis
- Shaft (2000) — as "Uncle" John Shaft
Where to Watch Richard Roundtree Films
Most Richard Roundtree movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Richard Roundtree, check our movies catalogue and browse page.