Known as “the first black action hero” for his role as private investigator John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and its four sequels produced between 1972 and 2019, American actor Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942) died on October 24, 2023. Roundtree was nominated for a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year – Actor that year (1972) for his performance in the original picture. Below you can read all the details relating to celebrities cause of death and more.
Richard Roundtree Cause of Death
The death of Richard Roundtree, a true giant of the film industry, has left the entertainment world in sadness. The 81-year-old actor, who played investigator John Shaft in the breakthrough 1971 film “Shaft,” died of pancreatic cancer.
Take a look at the below tweet about Richard Roundtree cause of death:
Richard Roundtree was truly as a BAMF as Shaft.
Pancreatic cancer is what Death whips out when truly nothing else will stop you.
— Declan Finn, editor/author #IronAge action novels (@DeclanFinnBooks) October 25, 2023
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What was Richard Roundtree’s first TV job and when did it Occur?
Richard Roundtree’s career was more than just about acting; he also helped change the way that Hollywood saw actors of African descent. Roundtree’s career spanned five decades, demonstrating the actor’s remarkable adaptability.
From his first TV job in 1956 on “As the World Turns” to his current role on Season 2 of Ava DuVernay’s OWN series “Cherish the Day,” he has repeatedly demonstrated his talent and versatility. However, it was the success of “Shaft” that propelled him to fame.
Take a look at below tweet:
ARRAY mourns the passing of the legend Richard Roundtree. We had the honor of working with him on the second season of CHERISH THE DAY. He was a beautiful artist and true gentleman. We will miss him. pic.twitter.com/6EeLhTGQq2
— ARRAY (@ARRAYNow) October 25, 2023
“Shaft” was an event in popular culture rather than just a movie. It was an early example of the blaxploitation cinema genre, which was popular in the 1970s and featured plots with urban settings and Black actors.
The name “blaxploitation” was created by reviewers who were offended by the film’s depiction of African-American culture, but the movies went on to be wildly successful. Gordon Parks’s “Shaft,” about a private investigator hired to recover an abducted girl, ushered in a new era of action movies. The film’s score, composed by Isaac Hayes, was awarded two Grammys and an Academy Award.
When did Richard Roundtree Divorce Mary Jane Grant?
Roundtree had two marriages, five children, and two divorces. On November 27, 1963, he wed Mary Jane Grant for the first time. Before divorcing in December 1973, Roundtree and Grant had two children together. It wasn’t long before he started dating Cathy Lee Crosby, a famous TV actress.
After meeting and marrying Karen M. Ciernia in September 1980, Roundtree started a family with her. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 1998. Roundtree had a double mastectomy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993.
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