Richard Roundtree will forever be remembered as the trailblazer who broke barriers and paved the way for black action heroes in the industry. With his iconic portrayal of John Shaft, he shattered stereotypes and brought representation to the forefront. Thank you, Richard Roundtree, for being a true pioneer and inspiring generations of actors to follow in your footsteps. His talent and charisma were inspiring on and off the screen. Rest in peace, King Richard Roundtree. Your legacy will continue

Actor Richard Roundtree has died. He was best known as the smart and tough private investigator, John Shaft. Many regarded Shaft as the first Black American action hero on film. Roundtree became a men’s health advocate after revealing his breast cancer diagnosis in the early 1990s. Richard Roundtree was 81 years old. | Inside Edition