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 at 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 – Butler Eagle

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - Santa Monica Daily Press

Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

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

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

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

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

Richard Roundtree: Shaft actor dies at 81