Richard Roundtree
ActingAbout Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972. He reprised the role of Shaft in the movie Shaft (2019), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Richard Roundtree reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Action
The majority of Richard Roundtree's filmography leans towards the Action genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 32% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Richard Roundtree remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Se7en, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Richard Roundtree Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Richard Roundtree's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Richard Roundtree.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thelma | Ben | Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Moving On | Ralph | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Haunting of the Mary Celeste | Tulls | Flop | Similar → |
| 2019 | A Family Reunion Christmas | Jebidiah McKellan | Average | Similar → |
| 2019 | Shaft | John Shaft, Sr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | What Men Want | Skip Davis | Average | Similar → |
| 2010 | Whatever She Wants | Theodore Wolf | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Final Approach | Gary Markash | Flop | Similar → |
| 2008 | Speed Racer | Ben Burns | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | All The Days Before Tomorrow | El Doctor | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Brick | Assistant V.P. Trueman | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Painkiller Jane | Colonel Watts | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Men Cry in the Dark | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Boat Trip | Felicia's Dad | Flop | Similar → |
| 2002 | BaadAsssss Cinema | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Al's Lads | Boom-Boom | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Undercover Brother | John Shaft (archive footage) (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Antitrust | Lyle Barton | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Shaft | "Uncle" John Shaft | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years | Booker T. Washington | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | George of the Jungle | Kwame | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Original Gangstas | Slick | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Se7en | Talbot | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Bonanza: Under Attack | Jacob | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Bonanza: The Return | Jacob Briscoe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Deadly Rivals | Agent Peterson | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Bad Jim | July | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Crack House | Lt. Johnson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Miami Cops | Gamble | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Angel III: The Final Chapter | Lt. Doniger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Party Line | Captain Barnes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Maniac Cop | Commissioner Pike | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Fifth Missile | Cmdr. Frederick Bryce | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | City Heat | Dehl Swift | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Killpoint | Agent Bill Bryant | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | Just an Overnight Guest | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Big Score | Gordon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Q | Powell | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | An Eye for an Eye | Capt. Stevens | Flop | Similar → |
| 1979 | Escape to Athena | Nat Judson | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Diamonds | Archie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Man Friday | Friday | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Earthquake | Miles Quade | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Shaft in Africa | John Shaft | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Nationtime | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Shaft's Big Score! | John Shaft | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Embassy | Dick Shannon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | Shaft | John Shaft | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Soul in Cinema: Filming 'Shaft' on Location | Self | Hit | Similar → |
Richard Roundtree - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Richard Roundtree?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Richard Roundtree is "Se7en" with a rating of 8.4/10.
How many movies has Richard Roundtree acted in?
Richard Roundtree has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Richard Roundtree?
Other notable films include "Nationtime", "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years", and "Bad Jim".