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.

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

Shaft star Richard Roundtree dies at 81

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

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

Richard Roundtree death: Shaft actor dies aged 81

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

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

Shaft' Star Richard Roundtree, Considered The 'first Black Action Movie Hero', Has Died At 81