With Richard Roundtree's recent passing, we thought it apropos to discuss the massive impact of the Shaft movies.

In the movie Shaft, Richard Roundtree gave life to an alchemy of arrogance and attitude, confidence and charisma, swagger and sexuality never-before-seen on screen in a dark-skinned African ...

Richard Roundtree gave life to an alchemy of arrogance, attitude and swagger never-before-seen on screen in an African American man, writes Sam Fulwood III.

Leather jackets added a rugged touch to his look, while turtleneck sweaters conveyed sophistication. Roundtree's collection of stylish sunglasses and understated accessories completed his outfits.

Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing Black actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective "Shaft"; in several films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Tim Reid, an actor and filmmaker, to remember his friend, the late actor Richard Roundtree.

In recent years, following a recovery from breast cancer, Roundtree managed to get Shaft legend behind him long enough to play different sorts of men. He did four episodes of “Chicago Fire” in ...

Richard Roundtree, who starred as John Shaft in the 1971 action-thriller “Shaft” and a series of sequels, died Tuesday at the age of 81.