Richard Roundtree's breakthrough role as John Shaft, a charismatic private detective, solidified his status as a Hollywood legend. This iconic character became synonymous with Roundtree's name, and the film remains a cornerstone of 1970s cinema.

Roundtree's portrayal of Cleve in this touching film displayed his incredible versatility as an actor. His performance brought depth and authenticity to the character, earning him critical acclaim.

 In this psychological thriller, Roundtree stepped into the role of District Attorney Martin Talbot, a character integral to the film's gripping narrative.  This classic, which included Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, is another gem in his cinematic history.

Roundtree reprised his role as John Shaft in 2019's "Shaft." This sequel showcased the enduring appeal of the character and Roundtree's ability to seamlessly step back into a role he made famous nearly five decades earlier.

In one of his last on-screen appearances, Roundtree played the character Ralph in "Moving On." His performance in this film, alongside stars like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Malcolm McDowell, demonstrated his enduring talent and ability to share the screen with Hollywood's finest.

Although not a film, Roundtree joined the cast of BET's "Being Mary Jane," alongside the illustrious Gabrielle Union. The actress expressed her sentiments about the actor on Twitter.

"Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream. 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," Union tweeted.

Rest in power, Richard Roundtree!