Richard Roundtree, a celebrated actor famous for his portrayal of a no-nonsense private investigator in the 1971 film “Shaft,” has passed away at the age of 81.
The sad news has been corroborated by Richard Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn, who conveyed in a statement to Variety that the actor succumbed to pancreatic cancer following a brief struggle on a Tuesday afternoon (October 24).
Now, let’s delve deeper into Richard Roundtree’s family, the actor famous for his role in “Shaft,” experienced two marriages and divorces, first with Mary Jane Grant and later with Karen Michelle Ciernia. He is survived by five children, and we’ll explore more about them in this article.
Know All About Richard Roundtree’s Wives And Children
In November 1963, Richard Roundtree got married to his first wife, Mary Jane Grant. During their marriage, they became parents to two children: John James, the actor’s only son, and his eldest daughter, Kelli. Unfortunately, their marriage came to an end in December 1973 after a decade together.
Although Roundtree didn’t publicly discuss the details of his divorce, a 1972 interview with Ebony Magazine revealed that he expressed a desire for a partner who was “independent” and could be supportive of his career aspirations.
Samuel L. Jackson, who acted alongside Roundtree in the “Shaft” reboot, expressed his feelings about the late actor on Instagram, referring to him as “The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!” Jackson continued by saying, “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 coat blowin’ in wind!! Angels whispering.”
The actor went on to have a remarkable career that spanned an impressive five decades, accumulating over 150 screen credits. Among his notable television appearances were in shows like “Roots,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Richard Roundtree also took on roles in films such as “Se7en,” “Speed Racer,” and “Brick.”