Richard Roundtree, the actor who portrayed Shaft in the 1971 film, is remembered as the "first Black action hero" who introduced a new type of Black masculinity to mainstream cinema. Unlike previous Black stars who played civil and unthreatening characters, Roundtree's Shaft was heroic, sexual, and unapologetically Black. The film broke down barriers and ushered in a new era of Black-centered cinema. Roundtree's portrayal of Shaft made him a star and he continued to work in various roles throughout his career, but he always remained associated with the iconic character.
Richard Roundtree, the iconic 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 Black private eye brought a new kind of figure to the screen, unapologetically Black with swagger, and helped create the genre of Blaxploitation. He had a successful career with over 150 movie and TV credits, and also went public with his breast cancer diagnosis in 1993. Roundtree died from pancreatic cancer and is survived by five children.
Richard Roundtree, the actor who played the iconic role of John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81. Roundtree's portrayal of the first Black action hero in the blaxploitation genre made him a movie star and redefined African American masculinity in the movies. He continued to have a successful career in both film and television for over four decades. Roundtree's cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Richard Roundtree, best known for his role as detective John Shaft in the Shaft movie franchise, has passed away at the age of 81 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Roundtree's career spanned five decades and included various film and television roles. He was hailed as the first Black action hero and became a symbol of Black power onscreen. His legacy as a trailblazing actor will be felt for generations to come.
Michael Jai White discusses the long journey to bring the spiritual sequel to Black Dynamite, Outlaw Johnny Black, to the big screen. White reveals that the idea for the film came during the making of Black Dynamite and was intended to be a nod to Western movies of the past. The trailer for Outlaw Johnny Black was released five years ago to help secure funding for the movie, but some people mistakenly believed the film was already finished. White also discusses the various genres and influences at play in the film, including Monty Python, Sidney Poitier's movies, and the '70s era of filmmaking. He shares his thoughts on the status of action comedies today and addresses the casting of non-Natives in Native American roles, emphasizing the parody and political statements being made.
Pam Grier, iconic star of Blaxploitation films, reflects on her groundbreaking career and the new era of Black filmmaking in the streaming space. Grier stars in the Tubi Original film "Cinnamon" and Antonio Fargas stars in "Murder City," both part of the "Black Noir Cinema" slate. Grier and Fargas reject criticisms of Blaxploitation films, emphasizing the opportunities they provided for Black actors. The films aim to pay homage to the genre while exploring universal themes of family and humanity.
