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Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree
Publicity photo, 1973
Born
Richard Arnold Roundtree

(1942-07-09)July 9, 1942
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 24, 2023(2023-10-24) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materSouthern Illinois University
OccupationActor
Years active1963–2023
Notable workJohn Shaft – Shaft
Spouses
Mary Jane Grant
​
​
(m. 1963; div. 1973)​
Karen M. Ciernia
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1998)​
Children5

Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973),[1][2] its 2000 sequel[3][4] and its 2019 sequel,[2] as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974).[3] He was also known for featuring in several TV series, including Roots, Generations, and Desperate Housewives.[1][2]

Considered as "the first Black action hero",[3][5] Roundtree was credited with having an impact on the rise of African American leading actors in Hollywood projects, thanks to his successful performances in the genre.[3][4][6] His portrayal of Shaft as a bold, confident, and charismatic figure also influenced cinematic depictions of Black men and Black masculinity, a contrast to Black men in films prior to Shaft having often been portrayed as mild-mannered or servile.[6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Richard Arnold Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, to John Roundtree and Kathryn Watkins.[1] Roundtree attended New Rochelle High School, where he graduated in 1961.[7] He subsequently attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois,[8] but eventually dropped out of college in 1963, in order to begin his acting career.[7]

Career

[edit]

Roundtree started his professional career around 1963, as he began working as a model at the Ebony Fashion Fair after being scouted by Eunice W. Johnson;[7] he then began modeling in advertisements for products such as Johnson Products' Duke hair grease[9] and Salem cigarettes.[10] In 1967, Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company: he then went on to play his first theatrical role by portraying boxer Jack Johnson in the company's production of The Great White Hope.[7] According to J. E. Franklin, he acted in the Off-Off-Broadway production of her play Mau Mau Room, by the Negro Ensemble Company Workshop Festival,[11] at St. Mark's Playhouse in 1969, directed by Shauneille Perry.[12]

Roundtree playing John Shaft in the CBS-TV television series (1973)

Roundtree made his first big-screen appearance by playing a minor role in the film What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?, a 1970 American hidden-camera style reality film directed by Candid Camera creator Allen Funt.[2]

In the following years, he became a leading man in early 1970s films, and gained widespread popularity through his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the action movie Shaft (1971) and its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973);[2] he also played the same role in the eponymous television series, aired by CBS between 1973 and 1974.[3] In 1981, he appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara in the epic war film Inchon, directed by Terence Young.[2][13] In 1984, he starred again as a private detective, Diehl Swift, in the buddy-crime comedy movie City Heat, acting alongside Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds.[14] On television, he played the slave Sam Bennett in the 1977 television mini-series Roots, and then starred as Dr. Daniel Reubens in the soap opera Generations from 1989 to 1991.[2] Although Roundtree worked throughout the entirety of the 1990s, many of his films from that era were not well-received publicly;[4][15][16] however, he found success in several stage plays.[15][16]

During that same period of time, Roundtree kept featuring in TV series:[1][2] on September 19, 1991, he appeared in the episode "Ashes to Ashes", from the second season of Beverly Hills, 90210.[17] In 1995, he acted in David Fincher's critically-acclaimed movie Seven;[2][4] in 2000, he starred again as John Shaft in a new, eponymous sequel of the original 1971 film, with Samuel L. Jackson playing the title character.[3] In 1997, he appeared in the comedy movie George of the Jungle;[18] around the same year, he played a leading role as Phil Thomas in the Fox ensemble drama, 413 Hope St;[18] in 1999, he portrayed Booker T. Washington in the 1999 television movie Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years.[19] He served as a voice actor for the title character from the PlayStation game Akuji the Heartless, which was first released in 1999.[20][21]

In 2004, Roundtree guest-starred in several episodes of the first season of Desperate Housewives as an amoral private detective;[2][18] in 2005, he played the assistant vice principal of a high school in the neo-noir mystery film Brick.[22]

Roundtree in 2007

Starting from the same year, Roundtree appeared in the television series The Closer as retired colonel D. B. Walter; in 2006, he starred in the science fiction drama series Heroes as Charles Deveaux, the terminally ill father of main character Simone Deveaux (Tawny Cypress).[2] He then appeared as Eddie Sutton's father-in-law in several episodes of family drama series Lincoln Heights,[a] before playing a supporting role in the 2008 film Speed Racer, a live-action adaptation of the eponymous Japanese manga.[23] During the same year, he also appeared in the TV series Knight Rider as the father of FBI agent Carrie Ravai (Sydney Tamiia Poitier).[24] Starting from 2013, he co-starred as the father of lead character Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union) in the drama series Being Mary Jane, aired on BET.[24][25]

In 2019, Roundtree co-starred in the comedy film What Men Want,[13] before once again returning to the role of John Shaft in Shaft, a new sequel to the 2000 film, opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Jessie T. Usher, who portrayed John Shaft II and John Shaft III, respectively.[2] Starting from the same year, Roundtree also had a recurring role on Family Reunion.[26]

Roundtree's final film to be released in his lifetime was Moving On (2023) with Jane Fonda. The last film released was Thelma (2024).

Personal life, health problems, and death

[edit]

Roundtree was married and divorced twice and had five children. He married Mary Jane Grant in 1963;[2] the couple had two children before divorcing in 1973.[2][27] He dated actress and TV personality Cathy Lee Crosby shortly thereafter.[28] Roundtree later married Karen M. Ciernia in 1980;[27][29] they had three children together before divorcing in 1998.[27]

In 1993, Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer, and subsequently underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.[30]

Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81.[1][2][31]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1970 What Do You Say to a Naked Lady? Interracial Couple [32][33]
1971 Shaft John Shaft [2]
1972 Embassy Richard "Dick" Shannon [18][34]
Shaft's Big Score! John Shaft [2]
1973 Charley One-Eye The Black Man [35][36]
Shaft in Africa John Shaft [2]
1974 Earthquake Miles Quade [18]
1975 Man Friday Friday [18]
Diamonds Archie [18]
1979 Escape to Athena Nat Judson [18]
Portrait of a Hitman "Coco" Morrell [37]
Game for Vultures Gideon Marunga [38]
Day of the Assassin Fessler [39]
1980 Gypsy Angels Dr. Carlson [40]
1981 Inchon Sergeant Augustus Henderson [2]
An Eye for an Eye Captain Stevens [41]
1982 Q Sgt. Powell Also known as Q – The Winged Serpent [42][43]
One Down, Two to Go Ralph [44]
1983 Young Warriors Sergeant John Austin [45][46]
The Big Score Gordon [47]
1984 Killpoint Agent Bill Bryant [48][49]
City Heat Dehl Swift [14][50]
1986 Opposing Force Stafford Also known as Hell Camp [51]
Jocks Chip Williams [52][53]
1988 Maniac Cop Commissioner Pike [54]
Party Line Captain Barnes [55]
Angel III: The Final Chapter Lieutenant Doniger [56]
1989 Miami Cops Gamble [57]
Getting Even Dundee [58]
Night Visitor Captain Crane [59]
Crack House Lieutenant Johnson [60]
The Banker Lloyd [61]
1990 Bad Jim July [62]
1991 A Time to Die Captain Ralph Phipps [63]
1992 Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight Samuel Stark [64]
1993 Body of Influence Harry Reams Direct-to-video [65]
Sins of the Night Les [66]
Deadly Rivals Agent Peterson [67]
Amityville: A New Generation Pauli Direct-to-video [68]
Mind Twister Frank Webb [69]
1995 Ballistic Harold [70]
Se7en District Attorney Martin Talbot [2]
Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored Cleve [2]
Theodore Rex Commissioner Lynch [71]
1996 Original Gangstas "Slick" [72]
1997 George of the Jungle Kwame [18]
Steel Uncle Joe [73]
2000 Shaft Uncle John Shaft [74]
2001 Antitrust Lyle Barton [75]
Hawaiian Gardens M.O. [76]
Corky Romano Howard Shuster [77]
2002 Capone's Boys "Boom-Boom" Also known as Al's Lads [78]
Boat Trip Malcolm [79]
2003 Men Cry in the Dark Derrick's father Direct-to-DVD [80]
2004 Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon Tahsi [81]
2005 Brick Assistant Vice President Trueman [82]
2006 Wild Seven Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods [83][84]
2007 All the Days Before Tomorrow El Doctor [85]
Vegas Vampires Rick Apping [55]
2008 Speed Racer Ben Burns [86]
2009 Set Apart J.T. [87]
2010 The Confidant Claude [88]
2012 The Trial of Ben Barry Ben Barry Short film [89]
This Bitter Earth Grady [90]
2015 Collar Reverend Alonzo Sparks [91]
2018 Duke J.T. [92]
2019 What Men Want Skip [18][93]
Shaft John Shaft I [94][95]
2020 Haunting of the Mary Celeste Tulls [18]
2022 Moving On Ralph [96]
2024 Thelma Ben Posthumous release [97]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1972 Parachute to Paradise — Television film [98]
1972–1976 The Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) Recurring role (4 episodes) [99]
1973 Firehouse Shelly Forsythe Television film [100]
1973–1974 Shaft John Shaft Series regular (7 episodes) [101]
1974 The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast Himself Episode: "Telly Savalas" [102]
1976 Freedom Is — Television special; voice role [103]
1977 Roots Sam Bennett Television miniseries
Episode: "Part IV" 		[104]
1980 The Love Boat Dave Wilbur 2 episodes [18]
Miss Universe Pageant Himself (Judge) Television special
1981 CHiPs Sergeant Aikens Episode: "Sharks" [18]
1983 Magnum, P.I. Peter Jordan Episode: "Two Birds of a Feather" [18]
Masquerade Willy "Mean Willy" Walters Episode: "Pilot" [105]
Just an Overnight Guest Matt Television short [106]
1984 The Baron and the Kid 'Frosty' Television film [107]
1985 A.D. Serpenius Television miniseries (5 episodes) [18]
Hollywood Beat Don Julian Episode: "Double Exposure"
1986 The Fifth Missile Commander Frederick Bryce Television film [108]
1986 Ebony/Jet Showcase Himself 1 episode (October 24) [109]
1986–1987 Outlaws Isaiah "Ice" McAdams Series regular (12 episodes) [18]
1987 The New Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) Episode: "03.23.1987"
1988 ABC Afterschool Specials Jason Ruigh Episode: "Daddy Can't Read" [108]
Cadets Sergeant Matt Gideon Television film [108]
Murder, She Wrote Major Kevin Cooper Episode: "The Last Flight of the Dixie Damsel" [110]
1989 A Different World Clinton Reese 2 episodes:
"Great Expectations"
"Answered Prayers" 		[18]
Amen Sergeant Burke 2 episodes:
"Thelma and the D.I."
"Sergeant in Arms" 		[110]
Beauty and the Beast Cleon Manning Recurring role (3 episodes) [111]
1989–1991 Generations Dr. Daniel Reubens Recurring role (6 episodes) [18]
1990 21 Jump Street Ben Halley Episode: "La Bizca" [111]
MacGyver R.T. Hines Episode: "Tough Boys" [111]
1990–1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Dr. Mumford / Reverend Gordon Sims 2 episodes:
"Clubba Hubba" (1990)
"Hare Today" (1996) 		[18]
1991 The Young Riders Calvin Episode: "Kansas" [112]
Beverly Hills, 90210 Robinson Ashe Jr. Episode: "Ashes to Ashes" [18]
1991–1994 Roc Russell Emerson Recurring role (4 episodes) [113]
1992 Hearts Are Wild Xavier Burns "Episode: #1.8" [114]
Christmas in Connecticut Prescotf Television film [108]
L.A. Law Judge Ira Menday Episode: "Love on the Rox" [115]
1992–1994 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Sergeant / Chester Cooper 2 episodes
"Miracle in Oaktown" (1992)
"Hangin' with Mrs. Cooper" (1994) 		[18]
1993 Bonanza: The Return Jacob Briscoe Television film [108]
Moscacieca Gray Television film
1994 Black Heart Rodney "Rod" Television film [111]
Shadows of Desire "Dunc" Television film [116]
Renegade Gene Collins Episode: "Thrill Kill" [113]
1995 Bonanza: Under Attack Jacob Television film [108][117]
The Wayans Bros. Dr. Saunders Episode: "ER" [111]
Dream On Dr. Charles Episode: "Little Orphan Eddie"
1996 Touched by an Angel Murray Episode: "Rock 'n' Roll Dad" [111]
Buddies Henry Carlisle Series regular (14 episodes) [18]
1997 Any Place But Home Gil Oberman Television film [108]
Profiler Detective James Henegar Episode: "Power Corrupts" [111]
1997–98 413 Hope St. Phil Thomas Series regular (10 episodes) [18]
1998 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Jim "Barracuda Jim" Barnes Episode: "The Fight" [113]
1999 Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years Booker T. Washington Television film [108][118]
Rescue 77 Captain Durfee Series regular (8 episodes) [18][119]
Linc's Jake Episode: "Real Time" [120]
2000–2001 Soul Food Hardy Lester Recurring role (6 episodes) [18][118]
2001 Resurrection Blvd. Nate Khane 2 episodes:
"Anisedad"
"La Gran Pelea" 		[108]
2002 Joe and Max Jack Blackburn Television film [108]
2002–2003 As the World Turns Oliver Travers — [118]
2003 1-800-Missing Sam Haslett Episode: "Father Figure" [121]
2003–2004 Alias Brill 2 episodes:
"Breaking Point" (2003)
"Blood Ties" (2004) 		[18]
2004–2005 Desperate Housewives Mr. Shaw Recurring role (5 episodes) [18]
2005 The Closer Colonel D.B. Walter Episode: "Show Yourself" [111]
Painkiller Jane Colonel Watts Television film [108]
2006 Blade: The Series Robert Brooks Episode: "Sacrifice"
Grey's Anatomy Donald Burke Episode: "I Am a Tree" [111]
Close to Home Cyrus Cater Episode: "Prodigal Son" [111]
2006–2007 Heroes Charles Deveaux Recurring role (6 episodes) [18]
2007 Final Approach Gary Markash Television film [122][123]
Point of Entry Detective Miles Porter Television film [108]
2007–2009 Lincoln Heights Coleman Bradshaw Recurring role (3 episodes) [18]
2008 Ladies of the House Stan Television film [124]
2009 Knight Rider Lawrence Rival Episode: "Day Turns into Knight" [125]
2009–2011 Diary of a Single Mom Lou Bailey Recurring role (18 episodes) [126]
2009 Meet the Browns Frank Episode: "Meet the Anniversary" [113]
2011 The Mentalist Floyd Benton Episode: "Bloodsport" [111]
2012 Private Practice Raymond McCray Episode: "The Next Episode" [18]
2013–2019 Being Mary Jane Paul Patterson Sr. Recurring role (33 episodes) [18]
2015 Chicago Fire Wallace Boden Sr. Recurring role (4 episodes) [18]
The Player Judge Samuel Letts 2 episodes:
"The Norseman"
"A House Is Not a Home" 		[18]
2017–2018 Star Charles Floyd Recurring role (5 episodes) [18]
2018 Lethal Weapon Don Bennett Episode: "A Whole Lotta Trouble" [127]
2019–2022 Family Reunion Jebediah McKellen Recurring role (22 episodes ) [128]
2022 Cherish the Day Mandeville "MV" St. James Main role (season 2) [18]

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1998 Akuji the Heartless Akuji Voice role [129][130]

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role Playwright Venue Notes Ref(s)
1969 Mau Mau Room — J. E. Franklin St. Mark's Playhouse [11][12]
1976 Guys and Dolls Sky Masterson Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling, and Abe Burrows The Broadway Theatre [118][131]
1977 Purlie Victorious Purlie Ossie Davis Tiffany's Attic [132][133]
2007 Whatever She Wants Theodore Wolf Je'Caryous Johnson Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Recorded version released direct-to-DVD [134]

Discography

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Association Year Category Nominated Work Result Ref
African-American Film Critics Association 2011 Legacy Award — Won [135][136][137][138][139]
Golden Globe Awards 1972 Most Promising Newcomer – Male Shaft Nominated
Indie Series Awards 2010 Best Performance by a Supporting Actor Diary of a Single Mom Nominated
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994 Lifetime Achievement Award Shaft (film series) Won
NAACP Image Awards 1971 Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Shaft Nominated
1998 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 413 Hope St. Nominated

References

[edit]
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Notes

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  1. ^ In season one, his car is rear-ended. In season two, he contemplates divorce.

Bibliography

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