Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the titular private detective in several Shaft films beginning in the early 1970s, has died at the age of 81.
Roundtree's longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday."Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African-American leading men," McMinn said."The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated."
It was the 28-year-old Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model. "What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up," Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with the Associated Press. After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels Shaft’s Big Score in 1972 and Shaft In Africa in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series Shaft, which lasted only seven episodes.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Richard Roundtree, star of Shaft and Roots, dies aged 81Roundtree shot to fame with 1971 blaxploitation movie Shaft about a private detective working in Harlem area of New York
Read more »
Gabriel Byrne tells of ‘sex pests’ working in RTE in the 1970sGabriel Byrne has told of 'sex pests' working in RTE in the 1970s who made his then-girlfriend's life 'an absolute misery.'
Read more »
Richard Blackwood Is Set To Cause A Lot Of Trouble On EastEnders This WeekThe website for Irish women
Read more »
Richard Hammond causes outrage with gay ice cream comments on Grand TourThe website for Irish women
Read more »
Richard Goode at NCH: A beautiful recital communicated like intimate confidences between close friendsRenowned pianist Richard Goode finally made it to the NCH stage for a recital to remember
Read more »
Richard Keys questions Jim Ratcliffe over 'unconvincing' Man Utd takeover delaySir Jim Ratcliffe is set to become a minority shareholder of Manchester United - investing more than £1billion into the club to pay for Old Trafford to be redeveloped
Read more »