Roundtree’s career in film and television spanned more than 50 years and included five « Shaft » movies.
Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for portraying detective John Shaft in the 1971 film « Shaft, » has died, his representative told CBS News. He was 81.
Roundtree died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, his representative, Patrick McMinn, said.
Roundtree’s career in film and television spanned more than 50 years, including his appearance in five « Shaft » movies and a notable role as Sam Bennett in the iconic 1977 TV miniseries « Roots. »
Gordon Parks’ « Shaft » was Roundtree’s feature film debut.
