Richard Roundtree, who helped define cinematic cool with his iconic title role in Shaft and its sequels, has died at age 81.
Roundtree died on Tuesday afternoon after a short bout with pancreatic cancer, according to Deadline.
He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
In 2019, the screen star reprised his Shaft role with Samuel L. Jackson playing his son.
Roundtree first starred as the detective John Shaft in 1971’s Shaft, which was directed by the photographer and composer–turned–filmmaker Gordon Parks and featured a classic soundtrack recorded by Isaac Hayes.
Classic star: Richard Roundtree, who helped define cinematic cool with his iconic title role in Shaft and its sequels, has died at age 81 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer; seen in 2022
Iconic role: Roundtree first starred as the detective John Shaft in 1971’s Shaft, which was directed by the photographer and composer–turned–filmmaker Gordon Parks and featured a classic soundtrack recorded by Isaac Hayes
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