Richard Roundtree broke ground with his role of detective John Shaft in 1970s Richard Roundtree, a US actor best known for his starring role in the Shaft film franchise, has died aged 81.

Richard Roundtree, the ultracool actor who helped open the door to a generation of Black filmmakers and performers with his portrayal of private eye John Shaft, "the cat that won't cop out when ...

Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several "Shaft" films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81. Roundtree's longtime manager ...

Richard Roundtree, who played the original John Shaft in three '70s crime dramas, has a cameo as Jackson's uncle and namesake. Busta Rhymes, Vanessa Williams, Dan Hedaya.