Richard Roundtree, Iconic 'Shaft' Star, Passes Away at 81

Richard Roundtree, the actor known for his role as John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81. Roundtree's portrayal of the iconic Black action hero made him a movie star and helped redefine African American masculinity in the industry. He continued to act for over four decades, taking on diverse roles in both film and television. Roundtree's cause of death was pancreatic cancer, which had been diagnosed two months prior.