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Richard Roundtree Biography

Richard Roundtree is an American actor and a former model who is widely recognized as the first black action hero because of playing the role of a private detective named John Shaft. His role is the lead character of a popular movie called Shaft and its sequels. He even made other cameo appearances in another Shaft sequel in 2000.

The film also starred Samuel L. Jackson as the nephew of the original John Shaft. Due to his performance in Shaft, in 1972 Roundtree was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor.

Richard Roundtree Age

Roundtree is 78 years old as of 2020, he was born on 9 July 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, United States. She celebrates her birthday on 9 July every year and her birth sign is Cancer. Richard will be 79 years old on July 9, 2021.

Richard Roundtree Height

Roundtree stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches. He also appears to be a man of average stature in his photos. However, details about hsi other body measurements are still under review.

Richard Roundtree Weight

Richard weighs 75 Kg (165 lbs).

Richard Roundtree Education

Richard Roundtree attended New Rochelle High School and graduated in 1961. In high school, he played for the school’s undefeated and nationally ranked football team. Roundtree attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois after high school. In 1963, Roundtree dropped out of college to begin his career.

Richard Roundtree Wife

On November 27, 1963, Richard married his first wife, Mary Jane Grant in a private wedding ceremony. Together they were blessed with two children but they finalized their divorce in December 1973. Later, Roundtree got married to his second wife, Karen M. Ciernia in September 1980. The two welcomed three children but their divorce was finalized in 1988.

Richard Roundtree Children

Richard is blessed with three daughters named Kelli Roundtree, Morgan Roundtree and Tayler Roundtree. He is also blessed with one son named John James Roundtree.

Richard Roundtree Net Worth

Roundtree has an estimated Net Worth of around $ 2 million dollars as of 2020. This includes his Assets, Money and Income. His primary source of income is his career as an Actor and a former model. Through his various sources of income, Richard has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Richard Roundtree Breast Cancer and Dies

In 1993, Richard Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. As of 2020, Richard’s health is currently stable and there have been no reports of him having any health complications whatsoever.

Richard Roundtree Shaft

Shaft 1971 is an American crime action film about John Shat and his great skills as an incredible black detective. At first, he finds himself fighting against the leader of the black crime mob named Bumpy. He then fights against fellow black nationals who are all criminals. Then finally he fights the white mafia who are trying to blackmail Bumpy by kidnapping his daughter. Richard plays the lead role of John Shaft in Shaft 1971.

Richard Roundtree Family Reunion

Family Reunion is a popular 2019 American comedy TV series that was released on Netflix. The series follows the lives and struggles of a family that makes a huge transition from life in Seattle to Georgia where the extended family lives. Richard plays the role of Grandpa in the series.

Richard Roundtree Measurements and Facts

Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Richard.

Richard Roundtree Bio and Wiki

• Full Names: Richard Roundtree
• Popular As: Richard
• Gender: male
• Occupation / Profession: actor and former model
• Nationality: American
• Race / Ethnicity: African-American
• Religion: to be updated
• Sexual Orientation: Straight

Richard Roundtree Birthday

• Age / How Old?: 78 years old
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer
• Date of Birth: 9 July 1942
• Place of Birth: New Rochelle, New York
• Birthday: 9 July

Richard Roundtree Body Measurements

• Body Measurements: Not Available
• Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
• Weight: 75 Kg (165 lbs)
• Eye Color: black
• Hair Color: black
• Shoe Size:  Not Available

Richard Roundtree Family and Relationship

• Father (Dad): John Roundtree
• Mother: Kathryn Roundtree
• Siblings (Brothers and Sisters):  Not Known
• Marital Status: Divorced
• Wife/Spouse or: Married to Mary Jane Grant and Karen M. Ciernia (1980 to 1988)
• Dating / Girlfriend: Single
• Children: Daughters (Kelli, Morgan & Tayler Roundtree) and Son (John James Roundtree)

Richard Roundtree Net Worth and Salary

• Net Worth: around $2 million
• Salary: Under Review
• Source of Income: actor and former model

Richard Roundtree House and Cars

• Place of living: bucolic Agoura, California
• Cars:  Car Brand to be Updated

Richard Roundtree Career

Richard Roundtree began his professional career around 1963. He began modeling in the Ebony Fashion Fair after being scouted by Eunice W. Johnson. After Roundtree’s modeling success with the Fashion Fair, he began modeling for such products as Johnson Products’ Duke hair grease and Salem cigarettes. Richard Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company in 1967. Roundtree’s first role while apart of the company was portraying boxing legend Jack Johnson in the company’s production of The Great White Hope.

In the early 1970s, Richard Roundtree was a leading man in blaxploitation film, his best-known role being Detective John Shaft in the action movie, Shaft in 1971 and its sequels, Shaft’s Big Score! in 1972 and Shaft in Africa in 1973. In Inchon (1981), Roundtree also appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara. On television, Roundtree played the slave Sam Bennett in the 1977 television series Roots and Doctor Daniel Reubens on Generations from 1989 to 1991.

Roundtree was a football player and a model before becoming an actor. In 1984’s City Heat, Roundtree played another private detective opposite Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds. Although he worked throughout the 1990s, many of his films were not well-received, but later found success in stage plays.

During that period, however, Roundtree reemerged on the small screen as a cultural icon. Roundtree appeared on September 19, 1991, in an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 with Vivica A. Fox. The episode was “Ashes to Ashes”, Roundtree played Robinson Ashe Jr. He appeared in David Fincher’s critically acclaimed 1995 movie Seven and in the 2000 Shaft again as John Shaft with Samuel Jackson playing the title character as the original Shaft’s nephew.

He guest-starred in several episodes of the first season of Desperate Housewives as an amoral private detective. In 1997’s, Roundtree also appeared George of the Jungle and in the 2005 movie, Brick he played a high-school vice-principal. Roundtree’s voice was utilized as the title character in the hit PlayStation game Akuji the Heartless. Akuji must battle his way out of the depths of hell at the bidding of the Baron.

Roundtree had a leading role as Phil Thomas in the short-lived Fox ensemble drama from 1997 to 1998, 413 Hope St. Roundtree portrayed the character of Booker T. Washington in the television movie Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years in 1999.

Since 2005, he has appeared in the television series The Closer as Colonel D. B. Walter, U.S.M.C. (retired), the father of a sniper and in Heroes he portrayed the character of Simone’s terminally ill father, Charles Deveaux. Next, in episodes of Lincoln Heights, Richard Roundtree appeared as Eddie’s father-in-law. Roundtree had a supporting role recently in the 2008 Speed Racer film as a racer-turned-commentator who is an icon and hero to Speed. Roundtree also appeared in the two-parter in Knight Rider in 2008 as the father of FBI Agent Carrie Ravai. Currently, Roundtree co-stars as the father of the lead character on Being Mary Jane, which has aired on BET since 2013.

Richard Roundtree Movies

• 1971 Shaft John Shaft,1972 Embassy Richard “Dick” Shannon, Shaft’s Big Score! John Shaft
• 1973 Charley-One-Eye The Black Man, Shaft in Africa John Shaft, 1974 Earthquake Miles, 1975 Man Friday Friday, Diamonds Archie, 1979 Escape to Athena Nat Judson, Portrait of a Hitman Coco Morrell, Games for Vultures Gideon Marunga, nDays of the Assassin Fessler
• 1980 Gypsy Angles Dr. Carlson, 1981 Inchon Sergeant Augustus Henderson, An Eye for an Eye Captain Stevens, 1982 Q Powell, One Down, Two to go Ralph, 1983 Young Warriors Sergeant John Austin, The Big Score Gordon, 1984 Killpoint Agent Bill Bryant, City Heat Dehl Swift
• 1986 Opposing Force Stafford, Jocks Chip Williams, 1988 Maniac Cop Commissioner Pike, Party Line Captain Barnes, Angel III: The Final Chapter Lieutenant Doniger, 1989 Miami Cops Gambie, Getting Even Dundee, Night Visitors Captain Crane
• Crack House Lieutenant Johnson, The Banker Lloyd
• 1990 Bad Jim July, 1991 A Time to Die Captain Ralph Phipps, 1992 Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight Samuel Stark, 1993 Body of Influence Harry Reams, Sins of the Night Les, Deadly Rivals Agent Peterson, Amityville: A New Generation Pauli, Mind Twister Frank Webb, 1995 Ballistic Harold, Se7en Talbot
• Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored Cleve, Theodore Rex Commissioner Lynch, 1996 Original Gangstas Slick, 1997 George of the Jungle Kwame, Steel Uncle Joe, 2000 Shaft Uncle John Shaft, 2001 Antitrust Lyle Barton, Shoot! unknown role, Hawaiian Gardens M.O., Corky Romano Howard Shuster
• 2002 Capone’s Boys Boom-Boom, Boat Trip Felicia’s Dad, 2003 Men Cry in the Dark unknown role, 2004 Short Fuse: A Collection of Explosive Shorts unknown role, Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon Tahsi, 2005 Brick Assistant V.P. Trueman
• 2006 Wild Seven Lee Marvin – Cleetus Woods, 2007 All the Days Before Tomorrow El Doctor, Vegas Vampires Rick Apping, 2008 Speed Racer Ben Burns,  2009 Set Apart J.T., 2010 The Confidant Claude, Veil Michael Draden, 2011 Go Beyond the Lens Guess, 2012 The Trial Ben Barry Ben Barry
• This Bitter Earth Grady
• 2014 Whatever She Wants Theodore Wolf
• 2015 Collar Reverend Alonzo Sparks
• 2016 Retreat! Henshaw
• 2018 Duke J.T.
• 2019 What Men Want Skip
• Shaft John Shaft I

Richard Roundtree Television

• 1972 Parachute to Paradise unknown role, 1972–76 The Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist), 1973 Firehouse Shelly Forsythe, 1973–74 Shaft John Shaft, 1974 Comedy Roast Himself, 1976 Freedom Is unknown role (voice role), 1977 Roots Sam Bennett
• 1980 The Love Boat Dave Wilbur, Miss Universe Pageant Himself (Judge), n1981 CHiPs Sergeant Aikens, 1983 Magnum, P.I. Peter Jordan, Masquerade Mean Willy Walters, Just an Overnight Guest Matt, 1984 The Baron and the Kid Frosty, 1985 A.D. Serpenius, Hollywood Beat Don Julian
• 1986 The Fifth Missile Commander Frederick Bryce, 1986–87 Outlaws Isaiah “Ice” McAdams, 1987 The New Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist), 1988 ABC Afterschool Specials Jason Ruigh, Cadets Sergeant Matt Gideon, Murder, She Wrote Major Kevin Cooper, 1989 A Different World Clinton Reese
• Amen Sergeant Burke, Beauty and the Beast Cleon Manning, 1989–1991 Generations Dr. Daniels Reubens, 1990 21 Jump Street Ben Halley, MacGyver R.T. Hines, Masquerade unknown role, 1990–96 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Dr. Mumford / Reverend Gordon Sims, 1991 The Young Riders Calvin, Beverly Hills, 90210 Robinson Ashe, Jr.
• 1991–94 Roc Russell Emerson, 1992 Hearts Are Wild Xavier Burns, Christmas in Connecticut Prescotf, L.A. Law Judge Ira Menday, 1992–94 Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper Sergeant / Chester Cooper, 1993 Bonanza: The Return Jacob Briscoe, Moscacieca Gray, 1994 Black as the Heart Rod
• Shadows of Desire Dunc, Renegade Gene Collins, 1995 Bonanza: Under Attack Jacob, The Wayans Bros. Dr. Saunders, Dream On Dr. Charles, 1996 Touched by an Angel Murray, Buddies Henry Carlisle, 1997 Any Place But Home Gil Oberman, Profiler Detective James Henegar
• 1997–98 413 Hope St. Phil Thomas, 1998 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman “Barracuda” Jim Barnes, 1999 Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years Booker T., Washington, Rescue 77 Captain Durfee, Linc’s Jake, 2000–01 Soul Food Hardy Lester, 2001 Resurrection Blvd. Nate Khane, 2002 Joe and Max Jack Blackburn, 2002–03 As the World Turns Oliver Travers, 2003 1-800-Missing Sam Haslett
• 2003–04 Alias Brill, 2004–05 Desperate Housewives Mr. Shaw, 2005 The Closer Colonel D.B. Walter, Painkiller Jane Colonel Watts, 2006 Blade: The Series Robert Brooks, Grey’s Anatomy Donald Burke, Close to Home Cyrus Cater, 2006–07 Heroes Charles Devaux, 2007 Final Approach Gary Markash, Point of Entry Detective Miles Porter, 2007–09 Lincoln Heights Coleman Bradshaw, 2008 Ladies of the House Stan, 2009 Knight Rider Lawrence Rival

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Roundtree

Who is Richard Roundtree?

Roundtree is an accomplished American actor and a former model who is widely recognized as the first black action hero because of playing the role of a private detective named John Shaft in a popular movie called Shaft and its sequels. He even made other cameo appearances in another Shaft sequel in 2000.

How old is Richard Roundtree?

Richard is an American national born on July 9, 1942, in New Rochelle, New  York.

How tall is Richard Roundtree?

Roundtree stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches.

Is Richard Roundtree married?

No, Richard is currently divorced. He has also been married twice in his lifetime. He married Mary Jane Grant as his first wife on November 27, 1963, and together they were blessed with two children but they finalized their divorce in December 1973.  Later Roundtree married Karen M. Ciernia in September 1980 and together they had three children. In 1998, Roundtree and Ciernia divorced.

How much is Richard Roundtree’s worth?

Richard has an approximate net worth of around $2 million dollars. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.

Where does Roundtree live?

He is a resident of bucolic Agoura, California, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them from a credible source.

Is Richard Roundtree dead or alive?

Roundtree is still alive and in good health. He is also a breast cancer survivor who underwent Mysectomy in 1993.

Where is Richard Roundtree Now?

Richard is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry. He is a cast member of a newly released 2019 film called What Men Want Skip.

Richard Roundtree Social Media Contacts

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