Richard Roundtree was an American actor, born on July 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York.
He was known for being “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.
Roundtree was a leading man in early 1970s blaxploitation films, his best-known role being detective John Shaft in the action movie, Shaft (1971) and its sequels, Shaft’s Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973).
He also appeared in other films such as Earthquake (1974), Man Friday (1975) and Escape to Athena (1979).
On television, he played the slave Sam Bennett in the 1977 television series Roots and Dr. Daniel Reubens on Generations from 1989 to 1991.
Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.
Additionally, he was an advocate in the fight against breast cancer and a 25-year male breast cancer survivor himself.
What is Richard Roundtree remembered for?
Roundtree was a groundbreaking actor who died at the age of 81 after a two-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
He is remembered for his trailblazing career that changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Roundtree was the big screen’s first black action hero, and he played the iconic role of detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller “Shaft”.
His work and career served as a turning point for African-American leading men in film, and the impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.
He will always be remembered as a beloved actor, model, and influential figure in the industry.
Who is Richard Roundtree’s second wife?
Roundtree was married twice in his life.
His first marriage was to Mary Jane Grant in 1963, and they had two children together, Kelli and Nicole, before divorcing in 1973.
Roundtree’s second wife was Karen Michelle Ciernia, whom he married in 1980.
During their marriage, they had three children together: Trevor, Richard Jr. and Tayler.
The couple divorced in 1998, but the reasons for their separation remain unknown.
Karen has maintained a low profile since their divorce, and details about her personal and professional life remain largely undisclosed.
Richard Roundtree career
Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, and attended New Rochelle High School, where he played on the school’s nationally-ranked football team.
He earned an athletic scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, but he left school in 1963 to pursue a career as an actor and a model.
Roundtree began his modeling career in the Ebony Fashion Fair after being scouted by Eunice W. Johnson.
After his modeling success with the Fashion Fair, Roundtree began modeling for such products as Johnson Products’ Duke hair grease and Salem cigarettes.
In 1967, Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company, where he played the role of boxing legend Jack Johnson in the company’s production of The Great White Hope.
Roundtree’s most notable role was as John Shaft in the 1971 action film, Shaft, directed by Gordon Parks. The popularity of the film turned Roundtree into a star with two subsequent sequels.
Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number of other notable films, including Earthquake, Man Friday and Escape to Athena.
Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.
Since then, he has served as a breast cancer awareness advocate for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Know Your Score Men’s Health Initiative.
At the time of his passing, Roundtree was considered the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971.
