Richard Roundtree passes away at age 81
Richard Roundtree rose to fame with the original SHAFT movie. However, he is likely best known by younger audiences for his roles on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Two years ago, Roundtree revealed he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, last year, he played in his final movie role. Roundtree played in a film called Moving On. Last night, Roundtree actually died, after his bout with cancer.
Richard Roundtree helped usher in a new era of entertainment. Towards the end of the “blaxploitation” era of movies, figures like Roundtree rose to prominence. As a result, he ended up being one of the people who transitioned the next era. His cameo appearances on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” fed into the legacy of Will Smith as an actor. Smith famously went from the sitcom to blockbuster movies.
Richard Roundtree made a name for himself with his stern acting style. He was a favorite among most who were familiar with his work. Until the very end, Richard Roundtree was doing what he loved. Just a year ago, he was promoting Moving On. Last night, there were reports of his passing, which were confirmed by his publicist and agent. Roundtree was 81 and battling pancreatic cancer.
Source: Deadline
Richard Roundtree passes away at age 81
