Shaft star Richard Roundtree, called 'first black action hero', passes away at 81

Popular American actor Richard Roundtree, noted for being the 'first black action hero' for playing the titular character of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 crime action thriller film Shaft, passed away at 81 on Tuesday, October 24. He died of pancreatic cancer at his Los Angeles home.

The news of his death was confirmed by his manager Patrick McMinn. "Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated", McMinn's statement read.

Roundtree made his acting debut in Shaft directed by Gordon Parks in 1971. He later went on to star in its sequels Shaft's Big Score!  (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973), and its rebooted versions named Shaft in 2000 and 2019. While the 1972 release was also directed by Parks, John Guillermin, John Singleton, and Tim Story helmed the 1973, 2000, and 2019 films.

As pr Variety, "Roundtree was married twice, first to Mary Jane Grant from 1963 to 1973, then to Karen M. Cierna, from 1980 to 1998. He is survived by his four daughters, Nicole, Tayler, Morgan and Kelli, and his son, James."