November 7, 2024

Remembering Richard Roundtree: A Career In Photos From ‘Shaft’ To ‘Roots’ To ‘Being Mary Jane’ & ‘Family Reunion’

Richard Roundtree #RichardRoundtree

Richard Roundtree, known for his role as Shaft in the series of films, died at the age of 81. The actor has left a legacy in both film and television for generations to come.

Roundtree made his debut in film as John Shaft in Shaft about a private detective who is hired by a mobster to help rescue his daughter who was kidnapped by Italian mobsters. The actor would go on to reprise his role of Shaft in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973). A reboot of Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson was released in 2000 with Roundtree appearing as “Uncle” Shaft. Roundtree also played the role in the short-lived CBS series.

Other films in which Roundtree appeared in include Embassy (1972), Earthquake (1974), Man Friday (1975), Diamonds (1975), Escape to Athena (1979), City Heat (1984), George of the Jungle (1997), What Men Want (2019) and The Haunting of the Mary Celeste (2020), just to name a few.

Television credits for Roundtree include Roots (1977), The Love Boat (1980), CHiPs (1981), Magnum, P.I. (1983), A.D. (1985), Outlaws (1986), A Different World (1989), Generations (1989), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991), Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1992), Buddies (1996), 413 Hope St. (1997), Rescue 77 (1999), Soul Food (2000), Alias (2003), Desperate Housewives (2004), Heroes (2006), Lincoln Heights (2007), Private Practice (2012), Being Mary Jane (2013), Chicago Fire (2015), The Player (2015), Star (2017), Family Reunion (2019), Cherish the Day (2022).

Scroll through the photo gallery below and take a look at Richard Roundtree’s career in photos!

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Warner Bros Television/Courtesy Everett Collection

    ROOTS, Leslie Uggams, Richard Roundtree, 1977

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Lisa Hergo / TM and Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. / Courtesy Everett Collection

    413 HOPE ST., (aka 413 HOPE STREET), Richard Roundtree, 1997-1998

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: TNT/courtesy Everett Collection

    CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, from left: Richard Roundtree, Tony Curtis, Ph: Erik Heinila, 1992

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Craig Sjodin / TV Guide / ©Touchstone Television / courtesy Everett Collection

    BUDDIES, clockwise from lower left, Ari Meyers, Christopher Gartin, Richard Roundtrree, Judith Ivey, Tanya Wright, Dave Chappelle, 1996

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: NBC / courtesy Everett Collection

    BONANZA: THE RETURN, front, from left, Brian Leckner, Alistair MacDougall, Michael Landon, Jr., Emily Warfield, back, Jack Elam, Dirk Blocker, Ben Johnson, Richard Roundtree, aired November 28, 1993

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: MCA Universal / courtesy Everett Collection

    ANY PLACE BUT HOME, (from left): Alan Thicke, Richard Roundtree, 1997

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Randy Holmes / ©ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

    PRIVATE PRACTICE, (from left): Alfre Woodard (back to camera), L. Scott Caldwell, Richard Roundtree, ‘The Next Episode’, (Season 6, ep. 605, aired Nov. 13, 2012)

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Vivian Zink / © ABC Family / courtesy everett collection

    LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Michael Warren, Mishon Ratliff, Nicki Michaeux, Rhyon Brown, Richard Roundtree, ‘House Arrest’, (Season 1, March 26, 2007)

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

    FAMILY REUNION, from left: Richard Roundtree, Jordyn Raya James, Remember My Funny Valentine?’, (Season 4/Part 4, ep. 405, aired Aug. 26, 2021)

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: John P. Fleenor / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

    FAMILY REUNION, Tia Mowry, Anthony Alabi, Loretta Devine, Richard Roundtree sin ‘Remember How This All Started?’, (Season 1, Episode 101, aired July 10, 2019)

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: BET / courtesy Everett Collection

    BEING MARY JANE, (from left): Richard Roundtree, Margaret Avery, ‘Getting Nekkid’, (Season 4, ep. 401, aired Jan. 10, 2017)

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy: Everett Collection.

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 1973-74.

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Universal TV/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

    OUTLAWS, (top) Richard Roundtree, Charles Napier, Patrick Houser, (bot) William Lucking, Rod Taylor, 1986

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Gene Trindl / TV Guide / courtesy Everett Collection

    Richard Roundtree, 1973

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Sherman Weisburd / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 1971

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, Samuel L. Jackson, 2000

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    MAN FRIDAY, from left: Peter O’Toole, Richard Roundtree, 1975

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Vestron/courtesy Everett Collection

    THE BIG SCORE, from left: John Saxon, Fred Williamson, Richard Roundtree, 1983

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!, US poster art, Richard Roundtree, 1972.

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 1971

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Orion Pictures Corporation/courtesy Everett Collection

    HELL CAMP (aka OPPOSING FORCE), (bottom l-r): Tom Skerritt, Lisa Eichhorn, Anthony Zerbe, Richard Roundtree, 1986

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Jess Miglio / © Paramount / courtesy Everett Collection

    WHAT MEN WANT, from left: Taraji P. Henson, Richard Rountree, 2019

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT IN AFRICA, Richard Roundtree, Vonetta McGee, 1973

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT IN AFRICA, Neda Arneric, Richard Roundtree, 1973

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT’S BIG SCORE, Richard Roundtree, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!, richard Roundtree, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!, Richard Roundtree, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!, Richard Roundtree, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett Collection

    MOVING ON, from left: Richard Roundtree, Jane Fonda, 2022.

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Aaron Epstein /© Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett Collection

    MOVING ON, from left: Richard Roundtree, Jane Fonda, 2022

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 1971

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 1971

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Kyle Kaplan / © Warner Bros. /Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, from left: Richard Roundtree, Samuel L. Jackson, 2019

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Kyle Kaplan / © Warner Bros. /Courtesy Everett Collection

    SHAFT, Richard Roundtree, 2019

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Vertical Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection

    HAUNTING OF THE MARIE CELESTE, Richard Roundtree, 2020

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    EMBASSY, rear from left: Richard Roundtree, Max von Sydow, Broderick Crawford, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    EMBASSY, from left: Richard Roundtree, Marie-Jose Nat, 1972

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Cannon Films/courtesy Everett Collection

    CRACK HOUSE, Richard Roundtree, 1989

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

    MAN FRIDAY, from left: Peter O’Toole, Richard Roundtree, 1975

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Marsha Blackburn/©Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

    GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, l-r; Lydell Cheshier, Richard Roundtree, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Michael Chinyamurindi, Greg Cruttwell, Abraham Benrubi, 1997

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

    CITY HEAT, from left: Richard Roundtree, Irene Cara, 1984.

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Everett Collection

    SHAFT IN AFRICA, Richard Roundtree, 1973

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Orion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

    HELL CAMP, (aka OPPOSING FORCE), Tom Skerritt (left), Richard Roundtree (center), 1986.

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: New Line/courtesy Everett Collection

    GAME FOR VULTURES, Richard Roundtree, 1979,

  • Richard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Richard Roundtree: A Career in PhotosRichard Roundtree: A Career in Photos Image Credit: Everett Collection

    DIAMONDS, Richard Roundtree, 1975

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