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27-594: 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), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel , as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974). He was also known for featuring in several TV series, including Roots , Generations , and Desperate Housewives . Considered as "the first black action hero", Roundtree

54-575: A double mastectomy and chemotherapy . Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81. John Shaft John Shaft's weapon of choice is a Smith & Wesson Model 36 , Beretta 92FS or an M1911 pistol . Shaft is also a practitioner of several styles of martial arts that includes western Boxing , Wing Chun , Judo , Jujitsu , Shotokan , and Kyokushin Karate. The franchise began with

81-508: A live-action adaptation of the eponymous Japanese manga . During the same year, he also appeared in the TV series Knight Rider as the father of FBI agent Carrie Ravai ( Sydney Tamiia Poitier ). 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 . In 2019, Roundtree co-starred in the comedy film What Men Want , before once again returning to

108-585: A model at the Ebony Fashion Fair after being scouted by Eunice W. Johnson ; he then began modeling in advertisements for products such as Johnson Products ' Duke hair grease and Salem cigarettes. 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. According to J. E. Franklin , he acted in

135-456: A mostly positive response. Shaft had an enormous impact on the way Black men were portrayed in American film. Prior to Shaft many depictions of Black men showed them as servile, mild-mannered, and in positions of low status such as servants or janitors. The way Richard Roundtree portrayed Shaft created a Black male style that was so distinct and pervasive it became known as “swag”. After Shaft

162-525: A new, eponymous sequel of the original 1971 film, with Samuel L. Jackson playing the title character. In 1997, he appeared in the comedy movie George of the Jungle ; around the same year, he played a leading role as Phil Thomas in the Fox ensemble drama, 413 Hope St ; in 1999, he portrayed Booker T. Washington in the 1999 television movie Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years . He served as

189-536: A voice actor for the title character from the PlayStation game Akuji the Heartless , which was first released in 1999. In 2004, Roundtree guest-starred in several episodes of the first season of Desperate Housewives as an amoral private detective; in 2005, he played the assistant vice principal of a high school in the neo-noir mystery film Brick . Starting from the same year, Roundtree appeared in

216-573: The Off-Off-Broadway production of her play Mau Mau Room, by the Negro Ensemble Company Workshop Festival, at St. Mark's Playhouse in 1969, directed by Shauneille Perry . 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 . In

243-641: The Ernest Tidyman novels. Richard Roundtree as (Uncle) John Shaft (John Shaft I) Richard Roundtree as John Shaft Sr. (John Shaft I) Samuel L. Jackson as John Shaft (son of John Shaft Sr., retcon, John Shaft II) The television show ran from 1973 to 1974, with Richard Roundtree reprising the role of John Shaft. There were seven 90-minute movies, part of the New CBS Tuesday Night Movies , rotating with Hawkins , which starred James Stewart . The character has had

270-742: The Jews , Tidyman began developing a Shaft daily syndicated newspaper comic strip . He commissioned artist Don Rico , with whom he produced 24 sample strips, but despite the character's popularity in both novels and films he was unable to find a syndicate interested in distributing the Shaft strip, which remains unpublished. The Shaft! comic book was published by Dynamite Entertainment , written by David F. Walker and illustrated by Bilquis Evely, beginning in December 2014. New stories following young John Shaft's earliest adventures were adapted closely from

297-582: The band is staying at and the group decides to play groupies for a day by tracking them down at their hotel. Unfortunately, Donna finds more than the band when she catches her mother in a compromising position. Meanwhile, the guys (sans David) decide to hire a stripper for the evening, but their plans are foiled when Andrea barges into their private party. Brenda and Dylan plan a trip to Mexico, but their plans are foiled when Jim forbids her to go. She sneaks off anyway, but trouble at customs alerts her father to her disobedience. Meanwhile, Kelly hits it off with one of

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324-399: The beach club, and the teens enjoy dressing up like high rollers of the past. But when a burglary occurs, their scheme is exposed and a penniless Dylan is fingered as the prime suspect. Meanwhile, Brenda and Donna go sunbathing hoping for the perfect tan, but a sleepy Brenda gets a case of sun-poisoning. The Blaze finds a new staff photographer, Robinson Ash III, who is delighted about getting

351-519: The entirety of the 1990s, many of his films from that era were not well-received publicly; however, he found success in several stage plays. During that same period of time, Roundtree kept featuring in TV series: on September 19, 1991, he appeared in the episode "Ashes to Ashes", from the second season of Beverly Hills, 90210 . In 1995, he acted in David Fincher 's critically-acclaimed movie Seven ; in 2000, he starred again as John Shaft in

378-445: The epic war film Inchon , directed by Terence Young . 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 . 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. Although Roundtree worked throughout

405-446: 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); he also played the same role in the eponymous television series , aired by CBS between 1973 and 1974. In 1981, he appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara in

432-565: The gang grieves after a sudden death. Steve arrives in New Mexico and meets his grandfather, who tells him his birth mother's fate. Meanwhile, the Walshes enjoy everyone's company at Casa Walsh, including Santa. Dylan revives his relationship with his father by visiting him in jail. When a popular R&B band comes to town, the gang tries to win tickets over the radio, but their efforts do not pan out. Music lover David finds out which hotel

459-418: The infamous zip code is filled with heartbreak, fraud , lies , betrayal and it also marks the time for new relationships to blossom, but it also marks the end for others. The Walshes and their friends are one step to graduation as they return to West Bev for their junior year as confident, eager, and seasoned upper-classmen. But it's not long before they face hundreds of real-life problems and begin to face

486-554: The job, but not as thrilled with his welcome to Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, the Walshes try out a new home alarm system, which is more hindrance than help. A cute Walsh cousin who uses a wheelchair visits. He and Kelly hit it off, but Brenda isn't happy, since she's sure fickle Kelly will soon lose interest. Meanwhile, Brenda finally gets her driver's license, and David develops feelings for Donna. During Scott's surprise 16th-birthday party, an accidental shooting turns fatal. Meanwhile, Andrea grows jealous of Brandon's attention to Emily, and

513-489: The men building her mother's wedding canopy, while Donna frets over her parents' marital problems. Jim goes to Mexico to fetch Brenda and forbids her from seeing Dylan... permanently. When plumbing problems force Jackie to cancel her wedding, the Walshes offer to host it at their house. Donna mopes because as Kelly's mother prepares for her nuptials, her own parents are mulling divorce. Meanwhile, Andrea nurses hurt feelings when her wedding invitation fails to arrive. Season two

540-418: The novel Shaft , which provides a much more detailed backstory for John Shaft than the one seen in the film series. All of the books in the original 1970s series are credited solely to Shaft creator Ernest Tidyman , but from Shaft's Big Score onward Tidyman wrote them with assistance from ghostwriters Robert Turner and Philip Rock. Between the release of the first Shaft film and the novel Shaft Among

567-428: The representation of Black masculinity in American films was dramatically changed. It became the norm to see black men in roles that before would have been filled by white men. Beverly Hills, 90210 (season 2) The second season of Beverly Hills, 90210 , an American teen drama television series aired from July 11, 1991, on Fox and concluded on May 7, 1992, after 28 episodes. The Walshes first summer in

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594-477: 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. Starting from the same year, Roundtree also had a recurring role on Family Reunion. Roundtree's final film to be released in his lifetime was Moving On (2023) with Jane Fonda . The last film released was Thelma (2024). Roundtree

621-418: 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 ). He then appeared as Eddie Sutton's father-in-law in several episodes of family drama series Lincoln Heights , before playing a supporting role in the 2008 film Speed Racer ,

648-624: The wrath of adulthood. When Jack McKay is indicted on income tax evasion, Dylan goes out surfing in dangerous waters and is injured in a storm. The Walsh family take him to the hospital, but Jim is upset when he catches Brenda kissing Dylan. Meanwhile, Donna and David are dismayed to be partnered up in drama class to perform a scene from Romeo and Juliet. Kelly falls for a handsome volleyball player who likes her but for some reason won't have sex with her. Jim suggests that Dylan visit his mother in Hawaii. Steve and Brandon organize after-dark poker games at

675-533: Was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York , to John Roundtree and Kathryn Watkins. Roundtree attended New Rochelle High School , where he graduated in 1961. He subsequently attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois , but eventually dropped out of college in 1963, in order to begin his acting career. Roundtree started his professional career around 1963, as he began working as

702-491: 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. 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. Richard Arnold Roundtree

729-411: Was married and divorced twice and had five children. He married Mary Jane Grant in 1963; the couple had two children before divorcing in 1973. He dated actress and TV personality Cathy Lee Crosby shortly thereafter. Roundtree later married Karen M. Ciernia in 1980; they had three children together before divorcing in 1998. In 1993, Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer , and subsequently underwent

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