Richard Roundtree was a celebrated American actor who rose to fame for his role as John Shaf in a popular 1971 film called Shaft. He died at the age of 81 on October 24, 2023. Richard’s fame as an actor spans almost two decades. He won several awards for his on-screen roles including the popular Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year which he received back in 1971. Richard’s other famous roles are in Family Reunion (2019 to 2022), Cherish the Day (2022), Lethal Weapon, Chicago Fire 1-800 Missing and more. Richard’s cause of death is complications caused by Pancreatic Cancer.
Richard Roundtree Education
Roundtree finished his early education and proceeded to a public high school situated in his hometown, California. He played football while he was in high school and his team was ranked as the most undefeated football team. The late Roundtree hen joined Southern Illinois University in Illinois but he dropped his studies in 1963 to pursue his acting career on a full-time basis.
Richard Roundtree Age
Roundtree was born on the 9th of July in the year 1942, in his hometown of Los Angeles, California. Therefore, he died at the age of 81 years old on October 24th, 2023.
Richard Roundtree Height | Weight
Roundtree was a celebrated Hollywood actor in his seniors whose height was approximated to be 6 feet 1 inch (1.88 m). He died in 2023. Richard’s weight was also approximated to be 58 to 60 kilograms.
Richard Roundtree Family
Roundtree was born to his working-class parents John Roundtree (father) and Kathryn Watkins (mother). He grew up very close with his mother and father. John worked as a laborer and he did various jobs just to sustain the family’s needs. Roundtree’s mother on the other hand was a devoted Christian who always did her best to raise Richard and his siblings in the right direction. Unfortunately, Richard’s parents passed away due to old age and long-term illnesses back in the early 1990s and in the early 2000s respectively.
Richard Roundtree Career
Richard was a very successful American actor known for his role in 1971’s first version of Shaft. He first began his career as a ctor back in 1963 by dropping out of college. Richard first began doing model jobs for Ebony Fashion Fair after he was spotted by Eunice W. Johnson. He did his best as a model and even appeared in Fashion Fair runways and events. Roundtree then endorsed products such as Duke Haor Grease and the famous 1960s Salem Cigarettes.
In 1967, he auditioned for his first role under the Negro Ensemble Company. His first role was playing Boxing Legend’s role as Jack Johnson in the company’s film The Great White Hope. He then appeared in his first off-broadway production called Mau Mau Room at the company’s Workshop Festival. In the 1970s, Roundtree went on to audition for various roles and landed his first major role as a leading man in 1971’s Shaft. This particular role as a very skilled armed man called John Shaft earned him fame across the United States and overseas as an accomplished actor.
Roundtree then went on to be the lead man playing Shaft’s role in all Shaft Sequels and Franchises like Shaft’s Big Score! and Shaft in Africa (1973). In 1977, Richard played Sam Bennett’s role in a 1977 TV series called Roots while landing a recurring role in Generations (from 1989 to 1991). Roundtree then went on to appear in several TV shows and movies. His most recent TV and film roles before his death include Hauning of the Mary Celeste (2020), Moving On (2022), Family Reunion (2019 to 2022) and Cherish the Day (2022). Roundtree will forever be remembered for his incredible career as an actor.
Richard Roundtree Wife
Roundtree was divorced twice before he died. He was first married to Mary Jane Grant. The two met in Los Angeles, California, and developed a close relationship. Eventually, the couple exchanged vows through a private wedding ceremony held on November 27, 1963.
Grant and Richard then welcomed two children before parting ways back in December of 1973. Rountree then met and began dating an American actress and TV personality named Cathy Lee Crosby. He broke up with Cathy and married Karen M. Ciernia whom he met back in 1980, Roundtree and Karen divorced back in 1998 and they shared three children together.
Richard Roundtree Children
Roundtree was the proud father of four known children. They include John James Roundtree, Morgan Roundtree, Kelli Roundtree, and Tayler Roundtree. His children are from his first and second marriages. Roundree loved his kids very much and he never failed to support them both physically and emotionally. Richard’s children were with him during his deathbed in October 2023.
Richard Roundtree Cause of Death | Death
Richard’s sudden death was announced on October 24, 2023. According to his manager Patrick McMinn, he passed away while he was surrounded by close friends and family. His sole Cause of Death was his short struggle with Pancreatic Cancer. Roundtree was previously diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1993 where he underwent mastectomy and chemo to make a full recovery.
Richard Roundtree Shaft
Shaft is a popular 1971 comedy action film about a private detective named John Shaft. He is hired to race and save the daughter of a crime lord who had been abducted. The film features Roundtree who plays the main role in the film alongside an ensemble cast. Following the success of the film, Shaft went on to release more sequels with Richard as the main man.
Richard Roundtree Net Worth
Richard’s net worth was approximated to be $2 Million as of 2023. This amount has been specified according to the number of properties under her name and her annual salary. Roundtree’s main source of wealth and income was his career as an actor.
Richard Roundtree Movies
- Shaft (2000)
- Antitrust (2000)
- Capone’s Boys (2002)
- Men Cry in the Dark (2003)
- Short Fuse: A Collection of Explosive Shorts (2004)
- Brick (2005)
- Wild Seven (2006)
- All the Days Before Tomorrow (2007)
- Vegas Vampires (2007)
- Speed Racer (2008)
- Set Apart (2009)
- The Confidant (2010)
- Go Beyond the Lens (2011)
- The Trial of Ben Barry (2012)
- This Bitter Earth
- Whatever She Wants (2014)
- Collar (2015)
- Retreat (2016)
- Duke (2018)
- What Men Want (2019)
- Shaft (2019)
- Haunting of the Mary Celeste (2020)
- Moving On (2022)
Richard Roundtree TV Show
- 1999 Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years
- Rescue 77 Captain Durfee
- 2000–2001 Soul Food
- 2001 Resurrection Blvd.
- 2002 Joe and Max
- 2002–2003 As the World Turns
- 2003 1-800-Missing
- 2003–2004 Alias
- 2004–2005- Desperate Housewives
- 2005 The Closer
- 2006 Blade: The Series
- 2006–2007 Heroes
- 2007 Final Approach
- 2007–2009- Lincoln Heights
- 2008- Ladies of the House
- 2009- Knight Rider
- 2009–2011 Diary of a Single Mom
- 2012- Private Practice
- 2013–2019 Being Mary Jane
- 2015- Chicago Fire
- 2017–2018 – Star
- 2018 – Lethal Weapon Don Bennett — “A Whole Lotta Trouble”
- 2019–2022 – Family Reunion
Related Keywords
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- Lexie Stevenson
- Greg Kriek
Richard Roundtree Social Media
Roundtree’s Facebook page, Twitter page, and Instagram page are here.
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