Richard Roundtree, star of the 1970s 'Shaft' film franchise, has died at 81
Richard Roundtree, the star of the 1970s "Shaft" film franchise, died Tuesday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81.
His longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed the star's death per the New York Times and said he'd been diagnosed two months ago.
Richard Arnold Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, to John and Kathryn Roundtree.
Often heralded as the first Black action hero, Roundtree shot to superstardom with his portrayal of private eye and smooth lady's man John Shaft in director Gordon
