Richard Roundtree
Acting1942New Rochelle, New York, USA
Biography
Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as 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. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972.
He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Known For
Acting History
2023
Moving On
as Ralph
2020
Family Reunion
TVas Grandpa• 6 eps
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event
TVas Grandpa
2019
2018
Lethal Weapon
TVas Don Bennett• 1 eps
2017
Star
TVas Charles Floyd• 5 eps
2015
The Player
TVas Samuel Letts
Chicago Fire
TVas Wallace Boden, Sr.• 4 eps
2013
Being Mary Jane
TVas Paul Patterson, Sr.• 51 eps
2012
2011
The Mentalist
TVas Floyd Benton• 1 eps
2010
The Confidant
as Claude
2009
Set Apart
as J.T.
Diary of a Single Mom
as Lou Bailey
2008
2007
2006
Wild Seven
as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
Brick
as Assistant V.P. Trueman
Grey's Anatomy
TVas Donald Burke• 1 eps
Heroes
TVas Charles Deveaux• 5 eps
Close to Home
TVas Cyrus Carter• 1 eps
2005
Painkiller Jane
as Colonel Watts
The Closer
TVas Col. D.B. Walter• 1 eps
2004
Desperate Housewives
TVas Mr. Shaw• 5 eps
2003
Vegas Vampires
as Rick Apping
Alias
TVas Brill• 2 eps
2002
BaadAsssss Cinema
as Self
Boat Trip
as Felicia's Dad
Undercover Brother
as John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited)
Al's Lads
as Boom-Boom
Joe and Max
as Jack Blackburn
2001
1999
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
as Booker T. Washington
Rescue 77
TVas Captain Durfee• 8 eps
1998
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
TVas 'Barracuda' Jim Barnes• 1 eps
1997
1996
Original Gangstas
as Slick
Touched by an Angel
TVas Murray• 1 eps
1995
Bonanza: Under Attack
as Jacob
Ballistic
as Harold
Se7en
as Talbot
Theodore Rex
as Commissioner Lynch
The Wayans Bros.
TVas Dr. Saunders• 1 eps
Dream On
TVas Dr. Charles• 1 eps
1994
Shadows of Desire
as Dunc
Body of Influence
as Harry Reams
Mind Twister
as Frank Webb
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
TVas Chester Cooper• 1 eps
1993
Bonanza: The Return
as Jacob Briscoe
Amityville: A New Generation
as Pauli
Sins of the Night
as Les
Deadly Rivals
as Agent Peterson
1992
Christmas in Connecticut
as Prescott
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
as Samuel Stark
Vicki!
TVas Self• 1 eps
L.A. Law
TVas Judge Ira Menday• 1 eps
1991
A Time to Die
as Captain Ralph Phipps
Beverly Hills, 90210
TVas Robinson Ashe Jr.• 1 eps
Roc
TVas Russell Emerson
1990
Gypsy Angels
as Dr. Carlson
Bad Jim
as July
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
TVas Dr. Mumford• 2 eps
21 Jump Street
TVas Ben Halley• 1 eps
MacGyver
TVas R.T. Hines• 1 eps
1989
Crack House
as Lt. Johnson
The Banker
as Lloyd
Night Visitor
as Captain Crane
A Different World
TVas Clinton Reese• 2 eps
1988
Maniac Cop
as Commissioner Pike
Angel III: The Final Chapter
as Lt. Doniger
Party Line
as Captain Barnes
Getting Even
as Dundee
Murder, She Wrote
TVas Major Kevin Cooper• 1 eps
1986
1985
A.D.
TVas Serpenius• 5 eps
1983
1982
Q
as Powell
One Down, Two to Go
as Ralph
1981
1980
The Love Boat
TVas Dave Wilbur• 2 eps
1979
Portrait of a Hitman
as Coco Morrell
Game for Vultures
as Gideon Marunga
Escape to Athena
as Nat Judson
Day of the Assassin
as Fessler
1977
Roots
TVas Sam Bennett• 1 eps
1975
Diamonds
as Archie
Man Friday
as Friday
1974
Earthquake
as Miles Quade
Dinah!
TVas Self• 2 eps
1973
Shaft in Africa
as John Shaft
Charley One-Eye
as The Black Man
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
TVas Self
1972
Shaft's Big Score!
as John Shaft
Embassy
as Dick Shannon
1971
Shaft
as John Shaft
1962
1961
The Mike Douglas Show
TVas Self