Richard Roundtree's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Roc Russell Shaft John Shaft Outlaws Isaiah 'Ice… Rescue 77 Captain Dur… Buddies Henry Carli… Cadets Sergeant Ma… Hearts Are Wild Xavier Burns Masquerade Mean Willy

Main Movie Roles 2008 - Speed Racer 2007 - All The Days Before Tomorrow 2006 - Wild Seven 2005 - Brick 2002 - Boat Trip 2002 - Undercover Brother 2001 - Corky Romano 2001 - Antitrust 2000 - Shaft 1997 - Steel 1997 - George of the Jungle 1996 - Original Gangstas 1995 - Se7en 1989 - The Banker 1988 - Maniac Cop 1986 - Opposing Force 1984 - City Heat 1983 - Young Warriors 1981 - An Eye For An Eye 1979 - Escape to Athena 1974 - Earthquake 1973 - Shaft in Africa 1972 - Shaft's Big Score! 1971 - Shaft

BIOGRAPHY:

Richard Roundtree was a leading man in many "blaxploitation" movies in the 1970s. He is best known for his role as John Shaft in Shaft (1971), and starred in its two sequels as well. As the 1970s and 1980s progressed he starred more in low-budget movies. He was in a few occasional high-profile, if a tad offbeat, films. Among his more notable work in that period were Escape to Athena (1979), City Heat (1984) and the socially conscious but badly received Game for Vultures (1979). Roundtree has been active in movies these days. He became popular again in the 1990s with his role in Se7en (1995), and was well received for reprising his role as the classic hero, and Samuel L. Jackson's uncle, in the 2000 remake of the film that made him a star, Shaft (2000).


TRIVIA:

• Son, John James, b. 3 November 1998.
• Also father of four daughters
• Sidelines: Photographer and golfer.
• Former Ebony Fashion Fair model.
• His performance as John Shaft in _Shaft (1971)_ (qv) is ranked #62 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
• Has tried to disassociate himself as a "black action hero" ever since he portrayed his famed role as John Shaft in the three Shaft films. From Miles Quade (the African-American motorcycle stuntman in an 'Evel Knievel' (qv) mold in _Earthquake (1974)_ (qv) to an elderly senior citizen in _"Soul Food" (2000)_ (qv), he has came to terms with the fact that he will always be known as Shaft.
• A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ 'Jack Johnson (VIII)' (qv) (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".
• A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ 'Jack Johnson (VIII)_ (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".