Richard Roundtree (born July 9, 1942) is an American actor. He has been called "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film, Shaft, and its sequels, Shaft's Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973).

Biography

Born in New Rochelle, New York, Richard Roundtree graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1961 and played for the school's undefeated and nationally ranked football team. He attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Roundtree was diagnosed with the rare disease male breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

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