Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

Richard Roundtree, 'Shaft' actor, has died at age 81

Richard Roundtree, 'Shaft' actor, has died at age 81

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree dead at 81

/app/uploads/news/npr-stories/12060405

Richard Roundtree, 'Shaft' Star and First Black Action Hero, Dies at 81

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 – Virgin Islands Free Press

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - WTOP News

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - American Press

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - Newsday

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - WHYY

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81