Richard Roundtree, the “first Tree”, is dead
Born July 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, the actor Richard Roundtree died on October 24, 2023 at the age of 81. The information was shared by Varietyand confirmed by his manager Patrick McMinn who stated: “Richard’s work and career marked a turning point for major African American cinema actors. The impact he has had on the industry cannot be overstated“.
In fact, Richard Roundtree is considered one of the first black action movie heroes with his iconic role as John Tree In The red nights of Harlem (1971). An important blaxploitation film (a genre aimed at improving the image of African Americans in cinema), characterized by his famous musical theme composed by Isaac Hayes.
As Shaft, Richard Roundtree takes over the role two more film revivals in the 1970s. So, he appears as a secondary character in Lance of 2000 and that of 2019. He was also head of the series Lance broadcast in 1973. This role allowed him to become a major blaxploitation figure.
Although he continued to tour extensively in subsequent years, his subsequent roles, in film and television, remained less significant. However, he has participated in important films in secondary roles, such as in Seven (1995) or Speed racer (20008).
Homage by Samuel L. Jackson
Symbolically, this is obviously his last presence in a feature film Lance (2019, available on Netflix) by Tim Story. Richard Roundtree then appears alongside Samuel L. Jackson, which was 2000’s Shaft, and Jessie Usher, who plays the iconic hero’s nephew. After the announcement of the actor’s death, Samuel L. Jackson paid tribute to him Instagram in writing: “Richard Roundtree, the prototype, the best of all time! SHAFT, as we know him, is and always will be his creation!“
Jessie Usher did the same, notably writing: “He taught me many things, but above all humility and gratitude. He was and always will be a damn man“.
Source: Cine Serie
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