RICHARD ROUNDTREE
Richard Roundtree
Gender: Male
Known for: Acting
Birthday: July 9, 1942
Deathday: October 24, 2023
Place of Birth: New Rochelle, New York, USA
Biography
Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972.
Filmography
Starring
2024·
ThelmaBen
2023·
Moving OnRalph
Grandpa
Tulls
2019·
Family ReunionGrandpa
Jebidiah McKellan
2019·
What Men WantSkip Davis
2019·
ShaftJohn Shaft, Sr.
2019·
Harlem to HollywoodSelf
2016·
StarCharles Floyd
2016·
Lethal WeaponDon Bennett
2015·
The PlayerSamuel Letts
2015·
CollarAlonzo Sparks
2013·
Being Mary JanePaul Patterson, Sr.
2012·
Chicago FireWallace Boden, Sr.
2012·
Retreat!Henshaw
2010·
Whatever She WantsTheodore Wolf
2010·
The ConfidantClaude
Lou Bailey
2009·
Set ApartJ.T.
2008·
The MentalistFloyd Benton
2008·
Final ApproachGary Markash
2008·
Ladies of the HouseStan
2008·
Speed RacerBen Burns
2007·
Private PracticeRaymond McCray
2007·
Lincoln Heights2007·
Point of EntryMiles Porter
El Doctor
2006·
Blade: The Series2006·
HeroesCharles Deveaux
2006·
BrickAssistant V.P. Trueman
2006·
Wild SevenLee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
2005·
Grey's AnatomyDonald Burke
2005·
Close to HomeCyrus Carter
2005·
The CloserCol. D.B. Walter
2005·
Painkiller JaneColonel Watts
2004·
Desperate HousewivesMr. Shaw
Tahsi
2003·
Vegas VampiresRick Apping
2003·
Men Cry in the DarkSelf - Narrator (voice)
2002·
Boat TripFelicia's Dad
2002·
Undercover BrotherJohn Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002·
Joe and MaxJack Blackburn
2002·
BaadAsssss CinemaSelf
2002·
Al's LadsBoom-Boom
2001·
AliasBrill
2001·
Hawaiian GardensM.O.
2001·
Corky RomanoHoward Shuster
2001·
AntitrustLyle Barton
2000·
Soul FoodHardy Lester
2000·
Shaft"Uncle" John Shaft
1999·
Rescue 77Captain Durfee
Booker T. Washington
1997·
413 Hope St.Phil Thomas
1997·
Any Place But HomeGil Oberman
1997·
SteelUncle Joe
1997·
George of the JungleKwame
1996·
BuddiesHenry Carlisle
1996·
ProfilerDet. James Henegar
Cleve
1996·
Original GangstasSlick
1995·
The Wayans Bros.Dr. Saunders
1995·
BallisticHarold
Jacob
1995·
Theodore RexCommissioner Lynch
1995·
Se7enTalbot
1994·
Touched by an AngelMurray
1994·
Black as the HeartRod
1994·
Shadows of DesireDunc
1994·
Mind TwisterFrank Webb
1994·
Body of InfluenceHarry Reams
1994·
Blind Man's BluffGray
'Barracuda' Jim Barnes
1993·
Bonanza: The ReturnJacob Briscoe
1993·
Deadly RivalsAgent Peterson
1993·
Sins of the NightLes
Pauli
Chester Cooper, General (uncredited)
1992·
Vicki!Self
1992·
RenegadeSamuel Stark
Prescott
1991·
RocRussell Emerson
1991·
A Time to DieCaptain Ralph Phipps
1990·
Dream OnDr. Charles
Dr. Mumford
1990·
Beverly Hills, 90210Robinson Ashe Jr.
1990·
Gypsy AngelsDr. Carlson
1990·
Bad JimJuly
1989·
Miami CopsGamble
1989·
Night VisitorCaptain Crane
1989·
Crack HouseLt. Johnson
1989·
The BankerLloyd
1988·
Daddy Can't ReadJason Ruigh
1988·
Getting EvenDundee
1988·
Party LineCaptain Barnes
Lt. Doniger
1988·
Maniac CopCommissioner Pike
1987·
21 Jump StreetBen Halley
1987·
Beauty and the Beast1987·
A Different WorldClinton Reese
1986·
Amen1986·
Outlaws1986·
L.A. LawJudge Ira Menday
1986·
The Fifth MissileCmdr. Frederick Bryce
1986·
JocksChip
1986·
Opposing ForceStafford
1985·
A.D.Serpenius
1985·
Hollywood Beat1985·
MacGyverR.T. Hines
1984·
Murder, She WroteMajor Kevin Cooper
1984·
KillpointAgent Bill Bryant
Frosty
1984·
City HeatDehl Swift
1983·
MasqueradeMean Willy
1983·
The Big ScoreGordon
1983·
Young WarriorsSergeant John Austin
1982·
One Down, Two to GoRalph
1982·
QPowell
1981·
InchonSgt. Augustus Henderson
1981·
An Eye for an EyeCapt. Stevens
1980·
Magnum, P.I.Peter Jordan
1979·
Game for VulturesGideon Marunga
1979·
Day of the AssassinFessler
1979·
Portrait of a HitmanCoco Morrell
1979·
Escape to AthenaNat Judson
1977·
The Love BoatDave Wilbur
1977·
RootsSam Bennett
1977·
CHiPsSgt. Aikens
1975·
DiamondsArchie
1975·
Man FridayFriday
1974·
Dinah!Self
1974·
EarthquakeMiles Quade
Self
1973·
ShaftJohn Shaft
1973·
FirehouseShelly Forsythe
1973·
Charley One-EyeThe Black Man
1973·
Shaft in AfricaJohn Shaft
1972·
NationtimeSelf
1972·
EmbassyDick Shannon
1972·
Shaft's Big Score!John Shaft
1971·
ShaftJohn Shaft
Interracial Couple
Self