Iconic Shaft actor Richard Roundtree has died at the age of 81.

Born on 9 July, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York, Roundtree was most well recognised for his leading role in the Shaft movie franchise of the early '70s.

Roundtree's long-time manager Patrick McMinn confirmed the news, saying that the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and had sadly passed at his Los Angeles home on Thursday.

"Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African-American leading men," McMinn said. "The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated."

Hailed by many as a cinematic trailblazer, Roundtree's turn as iconic private detective John Shaft in 1971, marked the first recognisable portrayal of a black action hero, in a predominantly white Hollywood industry.

Richard Roundtree in his iconic role as private detective Shaft. Photo: Instagram/violadavis

The release of Shaft coincided with a radical shift in how black films were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider leading black actors in projects at the time. Roundtree's role cemented his status as a leading actor in blaxploitation cinema — a subgenre of the exploitation film, that centred around African-American characters.

Beginning his acting career in the 1960s, following a brief stint as a model, Shaft was the actor's first feature film.

A street smart, quick-witted and slick protagonist, Roundtree's Shaft navigated the seedy criminal underbelly of New York; armed with iconic one-liners and undeniable charm.

American singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes’s Oscar-winning soundtrack for the 1971 film, helped propel the franchise into the pop culture consciousness. The prolific soul musician, who died in 2008, said the song was "like the 'shot heard round the world’."

The Hayes family would like to share our sadness with the loss of Richard Roundtree, a true icon.

His legendary role as SHAFT, transcended the screen, defining an era.

Rest in power, Richard. 🕊️ #RichardRoundtree #Legend” pic.twitter.com/gmgTTAeVFZ

— Isaac Hayes (@isaachayes) October 25, 2023

Roundtree also appeared in a number of movies and TV series, which include the films Inchon and Seven as well as the television series Roots, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Desperate Housewives.

Samuel L. Jackson, who appeared in the 2000 Shaft reboot as well as an 2019 instalment of the franchise with Roundtree, led tributes to the late actor, dubbing him "the prototype, the best to ever do it".

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Samuel L Jackson (@samuelljackson)

"Shaft, as we know it is & will always be his Creation," he said of Roundtree in an Instagram post. "His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too."

He is survived by four daughters - Kelli, Nicole, Taylor, Morgan - his son John, and at least one grandchild, according to the New York Times.