Richard Roundtree

July 9, 1942 - October 24, 2023 New Rochelle, New York, USA
IMDb

Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.

His titles like Se7en, George of the Jungle, and Shaft - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 17, 2026

Watched: 0/86
Weighted avg: 7.08 /10
  • 1
    1
    Se7en
    1995September 1995 by David Fincher
    Minor role as Talbot
    Minor role as Talbot
    8.13 Excellent++
  • 2
    2
    George of the Jungle
    1997July 1997 by Sam Weisman
    Supporting as Kwame
    Supporting as Kwame
    5.17 Okay--
  • 3
    3
    Shaft
    2019June 2019 by Tim Story
    Supporting as John Shaft, Sr.
    Supporting as John Shaft, Sr.
    6.07 Okay++
  • 4
    4
    What Men Want
    2019February 2019 by Adam Shankman
    Supporting as Skip Davis
    Supporting as Skip Davis
    5.72 Okay+
  • 5
    5
    Speed Racer
    2008May 2008 by Lana Wachowski
    Minor role as Ben Burns
    Minor role as Ben Burns
    5.91 Okay++
  • 6
    6
    Shaft
    2000June 2000 by John Singleton
    Supporting as "Uncle" John Shaft
    Supporting as "Uncle" John Shaft
    5.54 Okay
  • 7
    7
    Brick
    2006March 2006 by Rian Johnson
    Minor role as Assistant V.P. Trueman
    Minor role as Assistant V.P. Trueman
    6.38 Good-
  • 8
    8
    Shaft
    1971June 1971 by Gordon Parks
    Lead role as John Shaft
    Lead role as John Shaft
    5.94 Okay++
  • 9
    9
    Maniac Cop
    1988May 1988 by William Lustig
    Supporting as Commissioner Pike
    Supporting as Commissioner Pike
    5.65 Okay
  • 10
    10
    Thelma
    2024June 2024 by Josh Margolin
    Starring as Ben
    Starring as Ben
    6.37 Good-
  • 11
    11
    Antitrust
    2001January 2001 by Peter Howitt
    Supporting as Lyle Barton
    Supporting as Lyle Barton
    5.58 Okay
  • 12
    12
    Q
    1982September 1982 by Larry Cohen
    Supporting as Powell
    Supporting as Powell
    5.26 Okay-
  • 13
    13
    Boat Trip
    2002October 2002 by Mort Nathan
    Minor role as Felicia's Dad
    Minor role as Felicia's Dad
    4.77 Mediocre+
  • 14
    14
    Bonanza: The Return
    1993November 1993 by Jerry Jameson
    Supporting as Jacob Briscoe
    Supporting as Jacob Briscoe
    6.06 Okay++
  • 15
    15
    Steel
    1997August 1997 by Kenneth Johnson
    Starring as Uncle Joe
    Starring as Uncle Joe
    4.00 Mediocre--
  • 16
    16
    Earthquake
    1974November 1974 by Mark Robson
    Supporting as Miles Quade
    Supporting as Miles Quade
    5.69 Okay+
  • 17
    17
    Shaft in Africa
    1973June 1973 by John Guillermin
    Lead role as John Shaft
    Lead role as John Shaft
    5.76 Okay+
  • 18
    18
    Shaft's Big Score!
    1972June 1972 by Gordon Parks
    Lead role as John Shaft
    Lead role as John Shaft
    5.76 Okay+
  • 19
    19
    City Heat
    1984December 1984 by Richard Benjamin
    Supporting as Dehl Swift
    Supporting as Dehl Swift
    5.16 Okay--
  • 20
    20
    An Eye for an Eye
    1981August 1981 by Steve Carver
    Starring as Capt. Stevens
    Starring as Capt. Stevens
    5.09 Okay--
  • 21
    21
    Corky Romano
    2001October 2001 by Rob Pritts
    Supporting as Howard Shuster
    Supporting as Howard Shuster
    4.34 Mediocre
  • 22
    22
    Moving On
    2023March 2023 by Paul Weitz
    Supporting as Ralph
    Supporting as Ralph
    5.55 Okay
  • 23
    23
    Escape to Athena
    1979May 1979 by George P. Cosmatos
    Supporting as Nat Judson
    Supporting as Nat Judson
    5.43 Okay-
  • 24
    24
    Theodore Rex
    1995December 1995 by Jonathan R. Betuel
    Supporting as Commissioner Lynch
    Supporting as Commissioner Lynch
    3.91 Mediocre--
  • 25
    25
    Amityville: A New Generation
    1993August 1993 by John Murlowski
    Supporting as Pauli
    Supporting as Pauli
    4.43 Mediocre
  • 26
    26
    Haunting of the Mary Celeste
    2020October 2020 by Shana Betz
    Starring as Tulls
    Starring as Tulls
    5.35 Okay-
  • 27
    27
    Man Friday
    1975March 1975 by Jack Gold
    Starring as Friday
    Starring as Friday
    6.11 Okay++
  • 28
    28
    Wild Seven
    2006January 2006 by James M. Hausler
    Lead role as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
    Lead role as Lee Marvin / Cleetus Woods
    5.32 Okay-
  • 29
    29
    Christmas in Connecticut
    1992December 1992 by Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Supporting as Prescott
    Supporting as Prescott
    5.22 Okay--
  • 30
    30
    Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
    1992January 1992 by Oley Sassone
    Starring as Samuel Stark
    Starring as Samuel Stark
    5.44 Okay-
  • 31
    31
    Body of Influence
    1994May 1994 by Gregory Dark
    Starring as Harry Reams
    Starring as Harry Reams
    5.43 Okay-
  • 32
    32
    Being Mary Jane
    2013–2017 by Mara Brock Akil
    Minor role as Paul Patterson, Sr.
    Minor role as Paul Patterson, Sr.
    5.98 Okay++
  • 33
    33
    Charley-One-Eye
    1973April 1973 by Don Chaffey
    Lead role as The Black Man
    Lead role as The Black Man
    5.67 Okay
  • 34
    34
    Original Gangstas
    1996May 1996 by Larry Cohen
    Supporting as Slick
    Supporting as Slick
    5.62 Okay
  • 35
    35
    Angel III: The Final Chapter
    1988November 1988 by Tom DeSimone
    Supporting as Lt. Doniger
    Supporting as Lt. Doniger
    5.52 Okay
  • 36
    36
    Opposing Force
    1986August 1986 by Eric Karson
    Supporting as Stafford
    Supporting as Stafford
    5.31 Okay-
  • 37
    37
    Jocks
    1986November 1986 by Steve Carver
    Supporting as Chip
    Supporting as Chip
    5.32 Okay-
  • 38
    38
    Young Warriors
    1983August 1983 by Lawrence D. Foldes
    Starring as Sergeant John Austin
    Starring as Sergeant John Austin
    5.38 Okay-
  • 39
    39
    A Time to Die
    1991December 1991 by Charles T. Kanganis
    Starring as Captain Ralph Phipps
    Starring as Captain Ralph Phipps
    5.46 Okay
  • 40
    40
    Party Line
    1988October 1988 by William Webb
    Supporting as Captain Barnes
    Supporting as Captain Barnes
    5.58 Okay
  • 41
    41
    A Family Reunion Christmas
    2019December 2019 by Robbie Countryman
    Supporting as Jebidiah McKellan
    Supporting as Jebidiah McKellan
    5.77 Okay+
  • 42
    42
    Painkiller Jane
    2005December 2005 by Sanford Bookstaver
    Starring as Colonel Watts
    Starring as Colonel Watts
    5.64 Okay
  • 43
    43
    Night Visitor
    1989May 1989 by Rupert Hitzig
    Minor role as Captain Crane
    Minor role as Captain Crane
    5.15 Okay--
  • 44
    44
    Sins of the Night
    1993December 1993 by Gregory Dark
    Supporting as Les
    Supporting as Les
    5.47 Okay
  • 45
    45
    A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
    2021June 2021 by John Maggio
    Supporting as Self
    Supporting as Self
    6.13 Good--
  • 46
    46
    Killpoint
    1984March 1984 by Frank Harris
    Starring as Agent Bill Bryant
    Starring as Agent Bill Bryant
    5.87 Okay+
  • 47
    47
    Crack House
    1989November 1989 by Michael Fischa
    Starring as Lt. Johnson
    Starring as Lt. Johnson
    5.81 Okay+
  • 48
    48
    One Down, Two to Go
    1982November 1982 by Fred Williamson
    Supporting as Ralph
    Supporting as Ralph
    5.60 Okay
  • 49
    49
    The Banker
    1989December 1989 by William Webb
    Supporting as Lloyd
    Supporting as Lloyd
    5.44 Okay-
  • 50
    50
    Inchon
    1981May 1981 by Terence Young
    Supporting as Sgt. Augustus Henderson
    Supporting as Sgt. Augustus Henderson
    5.40 Okay-
  • 51
    51
    Diamonds
    1975October 1975 by Menahem Golan
    Starring as Archie
    Starring as Archie
    Needs more reviews
  • 52
    52
    Firehouse
    1973January 1973 by Alex March
    Lead role as Shelly Forsythe
    Lead role as Shelly Forsythe
    Needs more reviews
  • 53
    53
    Getting Even
    1988May 1988 by Leandro Lucchetti
    Lead role as Dundee
    Lead role as Dundee
    Needs more reviews
  • 54
    54
    Shaft
    1973–1974 by Ernest Tidyman
    Lead role as John Shaft
    Lead role as John Shaft
    Needs more reviews
  • 55
    55
    Point of Entry
    2007November 2007 by Stephen Bridgewater
    Supporting as Miles Porter
    Supporting as Miles Porter
    5.61 Okay
  • 56
    56
    Bonanza: Under Attack
    1995January 1995 by Mark Tinker
    Supporting as Jacob
    Supporting as Jacob
    6.06 Okay++
  • 57
    57
    Day of the Assassin
    1979December 1979 by Brian Trenchard-Smith
    Supporting as Fessler
    Supporting as Fessler
    5.67 Okay+
  • 58
    58
    Joe and Max
    2002March 2002 by Steve James
    Supporting as Jack Blackburn
    Supporting as Jack Blackburn
    5.74 Okay+
  • 59
    59
    The Confidant
    2010August 2010 by Alton Glass
    Supporting as Claude
    Supporting as Claude
    5.65 Okay
  • 60
    60
    BaadAsssss Cinema
    2002August 2002 by Isaac Julien
    Minor role as Self
    Minor role as Self
    5.85 Okay+
  • 61
    61
    Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon
    2004November 2004 by Albert Pyun
    Supporting as Tahsi
    Supporting as Tahsi
    5.73 Okay+
  • 62
    62
    Mind Twister
    1994March 1994 by Fred Olen Ray
    Supporting as Frank Webb
    Supporting as Frank Webb
    5.50 Okay
  • 63
    63
    Game for Vultures
    1979June 1979 by James Fargo
    Starring as Gideon Marunga
    Starring as Gideon Marunga
    Needs more reviews
  • 64
    64
    Outlaws
    1986–1987 by Nicholas Corea
    Starring as Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
    Starring as Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
    Needs more reviews
  • 65
    65
    Gypsy Angels
    1990June 1990 by Alan Smithee
    Supporting as Dr. Carlson
    Supporting as Dr. Carlson
    Needs more reviews
  • 66
    66
    What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?
    1970February 1970 by Allen Funt
    Supporting as Interracial Couple
    Supporting as Interracial Couple
    5.74 Okay+
  • 67
    67
    All The Days Before Tomorrow
    2007April 2007 by François Dompierre
    Starring as El Doctor
    Starring as El Doctor
    Needs more reviews
  • 68
    68
    Whatever She Wants
    2010February 2010 by Je'Caryous Johnson
    Starring as Theodore Wolf
    Starring as Theodore Wolf
    Needs more reviews
  • 69
    69
    Miami Cops
    1989April 1989 by Alfonso Brescia
    Lead role as Gamble
    Lead role as Gamble
    Needs more reviews
  • 70
    70
    Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location
    1971June 1971 by Hugh A. Robertson
    Lead role as Self
    Lead role as Self
    Needs more reviews
  • 71
    71
    Bad Jim
    1990April 1990 by Clyde Ware
    Starring as July
    Starring as July
    Needs more reviews
  • 72
    72
    The Fifth Missile
    1986February 1986 by Larry Peerce
    Supporting as Cmdr. Frederick Bryce
    Supporting as Cmdr. Frederick Bryce
    Needs more reviews
  • 73
    73
    Vegas Vampires
    2003December 2003 by Fred Williamson
    Supporting as Rick Apping
    Supporting as Rick Apping
    Needs more reviews
  • 74
    74
    Ballistic
    1995February 1995 by Kim Bass
    Minor role as Harold
    Minor role as Harold
    Needs more reviews
  • 75
    75
    Portrait of a Hitman
    1979May 1979 by Allan A. Buckhantz
    Supporting as Coco Morrell
    Supporting as Coco Morrell
    Needs more reviews
  • 76
    76
    Al's Lads
    2002June 2002 by Richard Standeven
    Supporting as Boom-Boom
    Supporting as Boom-Boom
    Needs more reviews
  • 77
    77
    Deadly Rivals
    1993June 1993 by James Dodson
    Supporting as Agent Peterson
    Supporting as Agent Peterson
    Needs more reviews
  • 78
    78
    Rescue 77
    1999 by Gregory Widen
    Lead role as Captain Durfee
    Lead role as Captain Durfee
    Needs more reviews
  • 79
    79
    Shadows of Desire
    1994September 1994 by Sam Pillsbury
    Supporting as Dunc
    Supporting as Dunc
    Needs more reviews
  • 80
    80
    Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
    1999April 1999 by Lynne Littman
    Supporting as Booker T. Washington
    Supporting as Booker T. Washington
    Needs more reviews
  • 81
    81
    Buddies
    1996 by David McFadzean
    Supporting as Henry Carlisle
    Supporting as Henry Carlisle
    Needs more reviews
  • 82
    82
    Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
    1996January 1996 by Tim Reid
    Minor role as Cleve
    Minor role as Cleve
    Needs more reviews
  • 83
    83
    The Big Score
    1983March 1983 by Fred Williamson
    Supporting as Gordon
    Supporting as Gordon
    Needs more reviews
  • 84
    84
    The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
    2002
    Lead role as Self - Narrator (voice)
    Lead role as Self - Narrator (voice)
    Needs more reviews
  • 85
    85
    Hawaiian Gardens German
    2001December 2001 by Percy Adlon
    Supporting as M.O.
    Supporting as M.O.
    Needs more reviews
  • 86
    86
    413 Hope St.
    1997–1998 by Damon Wayans
    Supporting as Phil Thomas
    Supporting as Phil Thomas
    Needs more reviews
Co-starring with:
Nick Cassavetes 2 titles
Robert Forster 3 titles
Boris Kodjoe 2 titles
Charles Napier 4 titles
Samuel L. Jackson 3 titles
Vivica A. Fox 2 titles
Ernest Borgnine 1 title
Ray Milland 1 title
Joe Spinell 2 titles