My name is John Shaft. Freeze. SUMMERS: Roundtree broke onto the scene playing the titular private eye in the film "Shaft," but his canon of work extends well beyond that 1971 classic and its sequels.

LOS ANGELES — 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, who opened the door to Black filmmakers and performers with his turn as private eye John Shaft, died Tuesday. He was 81.

Richard Roundtree’s acting legacy. Roundtree returned for his role as John Shaft alongside Samuel L Jackson in the 2000 remake, but he didn’t only work on Shaft.

In the movie Shaft, Richard Roundtree gave life to an alchemy of arrogance and attitude, ... It was Richard Roundtree — John Shaft — who changed all that. Ad Feedback. Ad Feedback.

Richard Roundtree died at the age of 81 but has left a legacy in film and television working on titles like 'Shaft,' 'Roots,' 'Being Mary Jane' and 'Family Reunion.' ...