Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an Americanmovie actor and fashion model. He portrayed John Shaft in the 1971 movie Shaft and its related sequels. He was also in many other movies.[1]
Early years and education
Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York. His parents were John Roundtree and Kathryn Watkins. He graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1961.[2] During high school, he was a part of the school's highly successful football team. After completing high school, Roundtree went on to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. In 1963, he decided to leave college and pursue a career in acting.[2]
He has been called "the first Black action hero".[5] Roundtree was seen to have an impact on the rise of African American leading actors in Hollywood projects, thanks to his successful roles in the blaxploitation genre.[6] His role as Shaft was seen as a bold, confident, and charismatic person that also inspired cinematic roles of Black men and Black masculinity, whereas before Black men in movies before Shaft were seen as gentle and aimed to please others.[6]
↑Tweedle, Sam, "I'm Just Talkin' About Shaft (And We Can Dig It)," Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict, Internet website [1], accessed August 20, 2014.
