Richard Roundtree was an American actor and singer who became the first black action hero for his role as John Shaft in the Shaft film series. He also starred in many other movies and TV shows, such as Seven, Speed Racer, Roots, and Being Mary Jane. He died on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81 from pancreatic cancer. In this post, we will explore his age, wiki, bio, family, career, net worth, and more.
Richard Roundtree, Suave Star of ‘Shaft,’ Biography Profile:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Richard Roundtree |
| Nick Name | Shaft |
| Date of Birth | July 9, 1942 |
| Birth Place | New Rochelle, New York, U.S. |
| Age (as of 2023) | 81 (deceased) |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Profession | Actor and singer |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Home Town/State | New Rochelle, New York |
| School | New Rochelle High School |
| College | Southern Illinois University |
| Educational Qualification | Dropped out of college |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Hobbies | Unknown |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Net Worth | $2 million (estimated) |
Early Life and Education
- Richard Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, to John Roundtree and Kathryn Watkins.
- He attended New Rochelle High School, where he played for the school’s undefeated and nationally ranked football team.
- He received a football scholarship to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, but dropped out of college in 1963 to pursue a modeling career.
Family Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Father Name | John Roundtree |
| Mother Name | Kathryn Watkins |
| Brother(s) | Unknown |
| Sister(s) | Unknown |
| Wife | Mary Jane Grant (m. 1963; div. 1973) Karen M. Ciernia (m. 1980; div. 1998) |
| Children | 5 |
Career Highlight:
- Richard Roundtree began his professional career as a model for the Ebony Fashion Fair and other products such as Duke hair grease and Salem cigarettes.
- He joined the Negro Ensemble Company in 1967 and made his stage debut as Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope.
- He rose to fame as the first black action hero for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. He was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972 for his performance in the original film.
- He also appeared in other films such as Inchon (1981), Seven (1995), and Speed Racer (2008), as well as television shows such as Roots (1977), Generations (1989-1991), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991), Being Mary Jane (2013-2019), and Family Reunion (2019).
- He died on October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles from pancreatic cancer.
Physical Stats and More:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Height (Aprox.) | in centimeters – 185 cm |
| Weight (Aprox.) | in Kilograms – 80 kg |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Figure Size | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Hair Length | Short |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Must Read:
- Who is Richard Roundtree’s ex-wife, Mary Jane Grant?
- Who is Richard Roundtree Girlfriend Freda Payne?
- Karen M. Ciernia, the second wife of Richard Roundtree
- Who was Louise Meriwether?
- Who was John Tilley?
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