Richard Roundtree, the iconic star of "Shaft" who paved the way for black filmmakers and performers, has passed away at the age of 81. Roundtree succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home, according to his manager, Patrick McMinn, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Over the years, Roundtree battled various health issues, including a diagnosis of breast cancer in 1993. Following the discovery of a lump on his chest while filming in Costa Rica, he underwent a double mastectomy. Reflecting on the diagnosis in 2007, Roundtree said, "The doctor told me, ‘You have breast cancer.’ I heard the cancer part first — it was only later that I heard the breast part. I couldn’t believe it."
"Shaft," a pivotal film within the 1970s Blaxploitation genre, earned Roundtree a Golden Globe nomination in 1972. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1995 MTV Movie and TV Awards.
Roundtree's impressive filmography includes roles in "Roots," "Once Upon a Time … When We Were Colored," "Man Friday," "Shaft’s Big Score!," "Shaft in Africa," as well as appearances in "Earthquake," "Escape to Athena," "Opposing Force," "Maniac Cop," "Seven," "George of the Jungle," "Corky Romano," "Brick," "Speed Racer," and "What Men Want."
His latest credit was in this year’s “Collar — Directors Cut.” Roundtree was married to Mary Jane Grant from 1963 to 1973 and later to Karen Michelle Ciernia from 1980 to 1998. He is survived by his daughters Kelli, Nicole, Tayler, and Morgan, as well as his son, John.
