Richard Roundtree
Known for Acting · 151 credits
- Born
- 1942-07-09
- Died
- 2023-10-24
- Place of birth
- New Rochelle, New York, USA
Biography
Richard 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.
He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Known For
TV Shows (53)
Grey's Anatomy
2005
as Donald Burke
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mentalist
2008
as Floyd Benton
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
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
as Robinson Ashe Jr.
The Love Boat
1977
as Dave Wilbur
Private Practice
2007
as Raymond McCray
MacGyver
1985
as R.T. Hines
Magnum, P.I.
1980
as Peter Jordan
Heroes
2006
as Charles Deveaux
21 Jump Street
1987
as Ben Halley
L.A. Law
1986
as Judge Ira Menday
Touched by an Angel
1994
as Murray
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
as 'Barracuda' Jim Barnes
Renegade
1992
Lethal Weapon
2016
as Don Bennett
A Different World
1987
as Clinton Reese
Profiler
1996
as Det. James Henegar
Close to Home
2005
as Cyrus Carter
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
as Dr. Mumford
Dinah!
1974
as Self
Roots
1977
as Sam Bennett
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
as General (uncredited) / Chester Cooper
The Wayans Bros.
1995
as Dr. Saunders
Star
2016
as Charles Floyd
CHiPs
1977
as Sgt. Aikens
Dream On
1990
as Dr. Charles
Amen
1986
Family Reunion
2019
as Grandpa
Vicki!
1992
as Self
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
Alias
2001
as Brill
Lincoln Heights
2007
Blade: The Series
2006
Soul Food
2000
as Hardy Lester
Being Mary Jane
2013
as Paul Patterson, Sr.
The Player
2015
as Samuel Letts
Masquerade
1983
as Mean Willy
A.D.
1985
as Serpenius
Hollywood Beat
1985
Roc
1991
as Russell Emerson
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
2020
as Grandpa
Outlaws
1986
as Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
Rescue 77
1999
as Captain Durfee
Buddies
1996
as Henry Carlisle
Shaft
1973
as John Shaft
413 Hope St.
1997
as Phil Thomas
Beauty and the Beast
1987
as Cleon Manning
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
2002
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Movies (98)
Se7en
1995
as Talbot
Speed Racer
2008
as Ben Burns
George of the Jungle
1997
as Kwame
Shaft
2000
as "Uncle" John Shaft
Shaft
2019
as John Shaft, Sr.
What Men Want
2019
as Skip Davis
Earthquake
1974
as Miles Quade
Boat Trip
2002
as Felicia's Dad
Brick
2006
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Man Friday
1975
as Friday
Thelma
2024
as Ben
Maniac Cop
1988
as Commissioner Pike
Q: The Winged Serpent
1982
as Powell
Shaft
1971
as John Shaft
Steel
1997
as Uncle Joe
Undercover Brother
2002
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Corky Romano
2001
as Howard Shuster
City Heat
1984
as Dehl Swift
Antitrust
2001
as Lyle Barton
An Eye for an Eye
1981
as Capt. Stevens
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
as Self
Escape to Athena
1979
as Nat Judson
Theodore Rex
1995
as Commissioner Lynch
Amityville: A New Generation
1993
as Pauli
Body of Influence
1994
as Harry Reams
Moving On
2023
as Ralph
Point of Entry
2007
as Miles Porter
Angel III: The Final Chapter
1988
as Lt. Doniger
Ballistic
1995
as Harold
Opposing Force
1986
as Stafford
Inchon
1981
as Sgt. Augustus Henderson
Night Visitor
1989
as Captain Crane
Original Gangstas
1996
as Slick
Shaft's Big Score!
1972
as John Shaft
Final Approach
2008
as Gary Markash
A Family Reunion Christmas
2019
as Jebidiah McKellan
Sins of the Night
1993
as Les
Jocks
1986
as Chip
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021
as Self
Wild Seven
2006
as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Shaft in Africa
1973
as John Shaft
Haunting of the Mary Celeste
2020
as Tulls
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999
as Booker T. Washington
Embassy
1972
as Dick Shannon
Painkiller Jane
2005
as Colonel Watts
Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
2004
as Tahsi
The Banker
1989
as Lloyd
The Confidant
2010
as Claude
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
1996
as Cleve
Ladies of the House
2008
as Stan
Al's Lads
2002
as Boom-Boom
Gypsy Angels
1990
as Dr. Carlson
Killpoint
1984
as Agent Bill Bryant
Party Line
1988
as Captain Barnes
Bonanza: The Return
1993
as Jacob Briscoe
Firehouse
1973
as Shelly Forsythe
Shadows of Desire
1994
as Dunc
Bonanza: Under Attack
1995
as Jacob
Crack House
1989
as Lt. Johnson
Getting Even
1988
as Dundee
Nationtime
1972
as Self
Joe and Max
2002
as Jack Blackburn
Christmas in Connecticut
1992
as Prescott
Deadly Rivals
1993
as Agent Peterson
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
1992
as Samuel Stark
The Fifth Missile
1986
as Cmdr. Frederick Bryce
Diamonds
1975
as Archie
The Big Score
1983
as Gordon
Game for Vultures
1979
as Gideon Marunga
Bad Jim
1990
as July
Hawaiian Gardens
2001
as M.O.
Charley One-Eye
1973
as The Black Man
Whatever She Wants
2010
as Theodore Wolf
One Down, Two to Go
1982
as Ralph
Blind Man's Bluff
1994
as Gray
Young Warriors
1983
as Sergeant John Austin
A Time to Die
1991
as Captain Ralph Phipps
Day of the Assassin
1979
as Fessler
Collar
2015
as Alonzo Sparks
Harlem to Hollywood
2019
as Self
Mind Twister
1994
as Frank Webb
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
1970
as Interracial Couple
All The Days Before Tomorrow
2007
as El Doctor
The Baron and the Kid
1984
as Frosty
Miami Cops
1989
as Gamble
Daddy Can't Read
1988
as Jason Ruigh
Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
1971
as Self
Retreat!
2012
as Henshaw
Portrait of a Hitman
1979
as Coco Morrell
Set Apart
2009
as J.T.
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
as Lou Bailey
Any Place But Home
1997
as Gil Oberman
Vegas Vampires
2003
as Rick Apping
Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family
2008
as Ben Burns
Men Cry in the Dark
2003
Black as the Heart
1994
as Rod
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks
1973
as Self / Shaft (archive footage)
About Richard Roundtree
Richard 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. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson. 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
- Speed Racer (2008) — as Ben Burns
- George of the Jungle (1997) — as Kwame
- Shaft (2000) — as "Uncle" John Shaft
- Shaft (2019) — as John Shaft, Sr.
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.