Richard Roundtree (born July 9, 1942) is an American actor. Roundtree is best known for its title role in Shaft (1971) and its two sequels, Shaft's Big Win! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973).
Biography
Actor Richard Roundtree was born in 1942 in New Rochelle, New York to Catherine and John Roundtree. Graduated from New Rochelle High School, then studied at Southern Illinois University.
Before becoming an actor, Roundtree was a budding football player (it was on a sports scholarship that he entered the university), and also worked as a black model.
It is known that in 1993, Richard Roundtree fell victim to a very rare disease - he was diagnosed with a rare, male form of breast cancer. In this regard, he had to undergo double surgery and a course of chemotherapy.
Career
The actor's film debut turned out to be very bright - in 1971 he got the main role in Gordon Parks' action movie "Shaft" about a black private detective Shaft, who works better than others on the streets of New York. Among the film's many awards (and even an Oscar for "Best Song") is the recognition of Richard's personal merits as "the most promising newcomer." The incredible success of the film resulted in its sequel the following year - "Shaft's Big Score" (Shaft's Big Score!), Which even eclipsed its predecessor at the box office. After that, there were also the continuation of the glorious exploits of John Schaft, which later resulted in a whole series.
In addition, Roundtree played a lot in racist-sounding films in the 70s. So, in the television series "Roots" he played the slave of Sam Bennett. The actor is known to be a member of the Negro Ensemble Company. In 1973, he played in the next film in the Shaft series - this time his brave hero was investigating the activities of a criminal group engaged in the modern slave trade. Shaft in Africa builds on the success of previous films.
In the eighties, Richard played in a wide range of action films, including Richard Benjamin's City Heat, Frank Harris's Killpoint, Larry Cohen's Q (Q), Young Warriors) and many others. However, there were no particularly famous paintings in that decade in Roundtree's career, despite the fact that his roles invariably turned out, if not the title ones, then at least not episodic.
In the 90s, his popularity gained momentum again, and the public was very eagerly going to films with his participation. In 1995, David Fincher's "Se7en" was released with the participation of Richard, and in 1997 he starred in the action comedy movie "George of the Jungle" (George of the Jungle). In 2000, the actor's fans waited for a remake of Shaft, in which Roundtree played the uncle of his former character, this time Samuel L. Jackson played John Shaft. And in 2005, the actor appeared as the deputy headmaster of a high school in the drama "Brick" directed by Ryan Johnson.
In the same 2005, the actor played the main character, Colonel Watts, in the television action movie Painkiller Jane about a military operation using chemical weapons.
Among the works of the actor in recent years - the paintings of 2009 "Set Apart", "This Bitter Earth" and "Retreat!". Despite his considerable age, Roundtree has not moved away from acting, so in 2019 the release of a new film with his participation is expected - "Shaft". The US premiere is set for June 14, 2019.
In general, during his acting life, Richard played at least 125 roles, most of which were in action films. From television projects with his participation should be called "How the World Turns", "Love Boat", "Private Detective Magnum", "Murder She Wrote", "Secret Agent MacGyver", "Blade", "Another World", the comedy series "Brothers Wayans”and many others.
Filmography of the actor
- Shaft (1971)
- Shaft's big victory! (1972)
- Embassy (1972)
- One-eyed Charlie (1973)
- Shaft in Africa (1973)
- Earthquake (1974)
- Diamonds (1975)
- The Man Called Friday (1975)
- One is, two are left (1976)
- Flight to Athena (1978)
- The last contract (1979)
- A Game for Vultures (1979)
- Killer's Day (1979)
- Wandering Angels (1980)
- Incheon (1981)
- Eye for an eye (1981)
- Kew (1982)
- Young Warriors (1983)
- Big Catch (1983)
- Murder Moment (1984)
- Trouble in the city (1984)
- Confrontation (1986)
- Hohmachi (1986)
- Maniac Cop (1988)
- Angel 3: The Final Chapter (1988)
- Death Line (1988)
- The Night Guest (1989)
- Stash (1989)
- Banker (1989)
- Bad Jim (1990)
- Time to Die (1991)
- Bloody Fist 3: Forced Duel (1992)
- Body Impact (1993)
- Deadly Rivals (1993)
- Amityville 7: The New Generation (1993)
- Sins of the Night (1993)
- Thinking deceiver (1994)
- Fist of the Law (1995)
- Seven (1995)
- Theodore Rex (1995)
- Hot City (1996)
- George of the Jungle (1997)
- Mister Steel (1997)
- Shaft (2000)
- Dangerous Truth (2000)
- Al Capone Boys (2002)
- Sea Adventure (2002)
- Max Destroyer: Curse of the Jade Dragon (2004)
- Brick (2005)
- Wild seven (2006)
- From yesterday to tomorrow (2007)
- Vampire Vegas (2007)
- Speed Racer (2008)
- Trustee (2010)
- Shaft (2019)
Personal life
In his spare time, Richard is an amateur photographer and an avid golfer. The actor even tried to participate in professional golf competitions, but he quickly realized that combining acting and professional sports is impossible, and gave up this venture. It is known that since 1980, Richard Roundtree has been married for a second time, recently living in California with his wife Karen, daughter and grandson.
