He died on Tuesday after a brief cancer battle, his rep said. Richard Roundtree, best known for playing the titular character in the groundbreaking "Shaft" franchise, died Tuesday at age 81. His ...

Richard Roundtree, best known as star of the '70s action thriller "Shaft" and TV miniseries "Roots," has died at 81 of pancreatic cancer.

Richard Roundtree, who broke ground with his signature role in the Shaft movie franchise, died October 24 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer with his family at his bedside. He was 81.

Richard Roundtree, best known as star of the '70s action thriller "Shaft" and TV miniseries "Roots," has died at 81 of pancreatic cancer.