LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Family Reunion' star and iconic actor Richard Roundtree breathed his last on Tuesday, October 24, at the age of 81.
The 'Shaft' star shuffled off his mortal coil after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer and spent his last few moments surrounded by the company of friends and family at his Los Angeles home.
According to his manager Patrick McMinn, the veteran star was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two months ago.
Richard's role in the hit 'Shaft Franchise', along with his countless film and television appearances throughout a long and fulfilling career that lasted almost four decades, had endeared him to audiences worldwide.
In a way, he was the first prominent African-American action star and his loss is being mourned far and wide.
'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree began his career as a theatre artist
Richard was born on July 9, 1942, in Rochelle, New York. As a young actor, he played football for the New Rochelle High School team and went on to graduate in 1961.
His love for football landed him a scholarship which took him to Southern Illinois University where he briefly tried his luck in modelling.
Returning to New York, he embarked on his theatrical journey after joining the Negro Ensemble Company.
He went on to perform in several acclaimed Broadway productions, many of which brought back Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize.
Richard Roundtree redefined the African-American hero in 1970s
During his heyday in the 1970s, Richard almost single-handedly transformed the image of the African-American action hero.
The 'Shaft' movie franchise brought for the first time to the screen an African American protagonist who had been liberated from racial woes and was free to do his own bidding.
'Shaft' was categorized as the film which heralded the 'Blaxploitation' era and catapulted Richard to widespread fame at the young age of 29.
Speaking about his character John Shaft, Richard remarked in a 1972 New York Times article that Shaft is 'a Black man who is for once a winner.'
Richard Roundtree is survived by his daughters
Richard is survived by his four daughters Kelli, Nicole, Taylor, and Morgan. He also has a son named John. He was married and divorced twice.
