"Renowned 'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree passes away at the age of 81."

Richard Roundtree enjoyed a remarkable Hollywood career that extended over five decades, leaving behind an enduring and influential legacy.

Richard Roundtree, aged 81, passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, October 24. The American actor’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed his demise.

McMinn expressed, “Richard’s work and career were pivotal for African American leading men in the film industry, and the impact he had cannot be overstated.”

In 1993, Roundtree faced and conquered another health challenge when he was diagnosed with breast cancer, ultimately undergoing a double mastectomy. He boldly spoke out about the experience, stating, “Breast cancer is not gender-specific, and men often approach health issues with a cavalier attitude. I received overwhelming support for speaking out about it, and it has been several years now. I am a survivor.”

Renowned as the icon of Blaxploitation and celebrated as the first Black action hero, Roundtree left an indelible mark with his portrayal of John Shaft, a private detective, in Mark Gordon’s 1971 blockbuster, “Shaft.”

Following the original film, he reprised the role in the sequels “Shaft’s Big Score!” (1972) and “Shaft in Africa” (1973), as well as a short-lived Shaft TV series in the same year. Roundtree’s performance in the original “Shaft” earned him a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year.