Iconic 'Shaft' Star Richard Roundtree Passes Away at 81
Richard Roundtree, the iconic star of the Blaxploitation film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Roundtree's portrayal of detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller marked a turning point for African American leading men in film. The success of "Shaft" helped save the studio from bankruptcy and set the tone for a decade of Blaxploitation filmmaking. Roundtree's career spanned over 50 years, with notable roles in films like "Se7en" and "Speed Racer." He is survived by his four daughters and son.