Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union Remember Richard Roundtree: ‘The Best to Ever Do It’

Tributes have begun to pour in for Richard Roundtree following the revered actor’s death at 81. Roundtree, who starred as the memorable detective in 1971’s Shaft, died at his Los Angeles home of pancreatic cancer.

Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn confirmed his death. “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” McMinn, who was his manager since 1987, said in a statement.

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Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed John Shaft’s nephew in the 2000 sequel to Gordon Park’s 1971 action film, shared an early remembrance on social media.

“Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!,” Jackson wrote. “SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!! His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too. Love you Brother, I see you walking down the Middle of Main Street in Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song,” he added, citing a line from the late Isaac Hayes’ Oscar-winning song “Theme from Shaft.”

Gabrielle Union co-starred with Roundtree on BET series Being Mary Jane. “Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Getting to hang with him & our Being Mary Jane family was always a good ass time with the best stories & laughs. He was ALWAYS the coolest man in the room with the BEST vibes & ppl would literally run over to come see him. He was simply the best & we all loved him.”

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph recalled meeting the actor. “When I was a teenager I use to dream about growing up to meet Richard Roundtree,” she wrote. “I did and what a wonderful human being.”

Taraji P. Henson shared a photo on Instagram of her and Roundtree together in the 2019 movie What Men Want. “Rest in paradise #RichardRoundtree the original #Shaft,” she wrote in the caption.”

The family of Isaac Hayes, who performed the theme song from Shaft, noted, “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.”

Carl Weathers offered a short tribute, writing, “I just heard, the icon that is Richard Roundtree is gone. The original SHAFT!!! His performance influenced so many and so much. And he was a great guy!”

Tia Mowry, who worked with Roundtree on the Netflix series Family Reunion, wrote that she had “no words for this loss” in a post on Instagram. “Richard, you have made such a lasting impact on my life,” she wrote. “I am forever grateful for your warm energy, your light, your heart, and your incredible wisdom. I will miss you and our times together in our trailers – you teaching me the right way to take down some whiskey. I love you.”

Jeffrey Wright, who appeared in 2000’s Shaft alongside Roundtree and Jackson, wrote, “The OG. And a lovely man.”

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