Over the years, Roundtree participated in dozens of films and television series, although without the impact he had made with the famous character.
American actor Richard Roundtreeblaxpoitation icon from her leading role in the film “Shaft” 1971, he died at the age of 81 after a long fight against pancreatic cancer.
This was reported in a statement by his manager, Patrick McMinnwho also revealed that at the time of his death, the interpreter was accompanied by his family, according to the specialized Hollywood Deadline site.
“Richard’s work and career were a turning point for African American protagonists in film. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be underestimated”the representative noted in the text.
Richard Roundtree and “Shaft”
Roundtree had become famous when he played Detective John Shaft in a saga that had three films and a television season broadcast on CBS between 1973 and 1974.
Since the premiere of “Shaft”, in 1971, a Hollywood subgenre known as blaxpoitation became popular, featuring African-American actors and actresses in leading roles, in which they were usually shown as vigilantes. In these types of plots, action scenes and suggestions regarding sexuality tended to abound, which is why criticism also arose that they considered that stereotypes referring to the black race were being reproduced.
The success of “Shaft” continued with the eloquent titles “Shaft returns to Harlem” from 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” 1973. In 2000 there was a return of this character although with Samuel J. Jackson in the main role.
Over the years, Roundtree participated in dozens of films and television series, although without the impact he had made with the famous character.
“I used to see it as a double-edged sword. But a lot of people from all over the country, and really from all over the world, came up and said what that movie meant to them in ’71.”Roundtree had said in an interview in recent years when referring to his participation in the “Shaft” saga.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
