Remembering Richard Roundtree: A Career In Photos From ‘Shaft’ To ‘Roots’ To ‘Being Mary Jane’ & ‘Family Reunion’

Richard Roundtree, known for his role as Shaft in the series of films, died at the age of 81. The actor has left a legacy in both film and television for generations to come.

Roundtree made his debut in film as John Shaft in Shaft about a private detective who is hired by a mobster to help rescue his daughter who was kidnapped by Italian mobsters. The actor would go on to reprise his role of Shaft in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973). A reboot of Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson was released in 2000 with Roundtree appearing as “Uncle” Shaft. Roundtree also played the role in the short-lived CBS series.

Other films in which Roundtree appeared in include Embassy (1972), Earthquake (1974), Man Friday (1975), Diamonds (1975), Escape to Athena (1979), City Heat (1984), George of the Jungle (1997), What Men Want (2019) and The Haunting of the Mary Celeste (2020), just to name a few.

Television credits for Roundtree include Roots (1977), The Love Boat (1980), CHiPs (1981), Magnum, P.I. (1983), A.D. (1985), Outlaws (1986), A Different World (1989), Generations (1989), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991), Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1992), Buddies (1996), 413 Hope St. (1997), Rescue 77 (1999), Soul Food (2000), Alias (2003), Desperate Housewives (2004), Heroes (2006), Lincoln Heights (2007), Private Practice (2012), Being Mary Jane (2013), Chicago Fire (2015), The Player (2015), Star (2017), Family Reunion (2019), Cherish the Day (2022).

Scroll through the photo gallery below and take a look at Richard Roundtree’s career in photos!