# Richard Roundtree

> American actor and singer (1942–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q446493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q446493)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Roundtree)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/richard-roundtree

## Summary
Richard Roundtree was an American actor and singer (1942–2023) best known for his role as John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft," which launched his career and established him as a prominent figure in American entertainment.

## Biography
- Born: 1942-07-09 (July 9, 1942)
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Educated at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Known for: Actor who portrayed John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft"
- Employer(s): Affiliated with Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Field(s): Acting, singing

## Contributions
No specific publications, patents, or companies founded by Richard Roundtree are documented in the source material. His contributions are primarily in the form of acting roles and performances.

## FAQs
**What was Richard Roundtree's most famous role?**
Richard Roundtree is most famously known for his portrayal of John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft," which became a cultural phenomenon and launched his career.

**Where did he attend college?**
Richard Roundtree was educated at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

**What awards has he received?**
The source material indicates he has received recognition from the MTV Movie & TV Awards, though specific award titles are not provided.

**When did his career begin?**
His work period started around 1970, with his most notable work appearing in 1973.

## Why They Matter
Richard Roundtree's portrayal of John Shaft in "Shaft" (1973) had a significant impact on African American representation in mainstream cinema and popular culture. His performance helped establish a new archetype of confident, street-smart African American male characters that influenced subsequent generations of actors and filmmakers. Without his iconic performance, the film industry might have taken longer to develop more authentic and positive representations of African American characters in leading roles.

## Notable For
- Portrayed John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft"
- Received recognition from the MTV Movie & TV Awards
- Was an American actor and singer
- Had a career spanning from approximately 1970 to 2023
- Was educated at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

## Body
### Early Life
Richard Roundtree was born on July 9, 1942, in the United States. He received his education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which is a public university located in Carbondale, Illinois. The university was established in 1869 and serves as the flagship institution of the SIU system.

### Career
Roundtree began his professional career in the entertainment industry around 1970. His most significant and enduring contribution to popular culture came with his portrayal of John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft." This role established him as a prominent figure in American cinema and helped launch his career as a leading actor.

The film "Shaft" was a groundbreaking work that featured an African American protagonist in a leading role, which was relatively uncommon in mainstream Hollywood at that time. Roundtree's performance as the confident, street-smart detective John Shaft became iconic and influenced numerous subsequent films and television shows.

### Professional Affiliations
Roundtree maintained professional affiliations with various entities throughout his career. His work was documented under the Wikidata identifier no96018109, with the Wikipedia page titled "Richard Roundtree." He was associated with the MTV Movie & TV Awards, which recognize achievements in film and television.

### Legacy
Richard Roundtree's legacy is primarily defined by his role as John Shaft in the 1973 film "Shaft." This performance helped pave the way for more diverse representation in Hollywood and inspired many actors who followed in his footsteps. His work contributed to changing perceptions of African American characters in mainstream media and established new standards for positive representation.

### Death
Richard Roundtree passed away on October 24, 2023. His career spanned over five decades, from approximately 1970 until his death in 2023. The source material indicates his work period ended in 2023.

### Recognition
Throughout his career, Roundtree received recognition from various organizations, including the MTV Movie & TV Awards. His contributions to the entertainment industry were documented with a sitelink count of 35 across different platforms.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Richard Roundtree Dies: ‘Shaft’ Star Was 81. Deadline Hollywood](https://deadline.com/2023/10/richard-roundtree-dead-shaft-star-1235582237/)
6. SNAC
7. filmportal.de
8. Discogs
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. CONOR.SI
11. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
12. The Movie Database