Richard Roundtree
Actor & Model Known for "Shaft" Films; Breast Cancer Survivor
With consistency being the benchmark for stardom in Hollywood, Richard Roundtree has proven his star power.
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Full Bio
With consistency being the benchmark for stardom in Hollywood, Richard Roundtree has proven his star power in every sense of the word. As a leading actor for over the last thirty years, he has established himself as a constant force in the entertainment industry.
Discovering that he enjoyed the spotlight while on a football scholarship at Southern Illinois University, Roundtree signed with Johnson Publications to model in their annual Ebony Fashion Fair, touring 79 cities in 90 days. He then returned to New York, his home state, began acting lessons, and later became a member of New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company. A succession of Off-Broadway roles resulted in his starring role as Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope.
Roundtree initially received international fame when Gordon Parks chose him to star as John Shaft, private detective and supercop hero in the feature film Shaft. That role catapulted him into the world arena as one of the hottest new actors on the scene. He continued the franchise with Shaft’s Big Score, Shaft in Africa, and the television series, “Shaft.”
But Roundtree was just beginning to stretch his talents as a movie star. He quickly moved on to star with some of Hollywood’s most well-known actors, including Clint Eastwood, Robert Shaw, Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris, David Niven, Tony Curtis, and Laurence Olivier, to name a few.
Among the more than 70 feature films that he has appeared in is the smash hit thriller Seven, the critically acclaimed Once Upon A Time…When We Were Colored, Steel with basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal, George of the Jungle for Disney Pictures, and Corky Romano with “Saturday Night Live” star Chris Kattan.
Roundtree’s television credits have included series regular roles on “Outlaws” for CBS, “413 Hope Street” where he garnered an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Series, and “Buddies” with Dave Chappelle for ABC. He also has appeared in many movies for television, including the top-rated Having Our Say portraying Booker T. Washington, Christmas in Connecticut directed for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Starz production of Joe and Max.
Roundtree has also played recurring roles on series including “Desperate Housewives,” “Diary of a Single Mom,” and “Being Mary Jane.”
Roundtree won a Peabody Award for his narration on the PBS documentary The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow in 2002.
In 2019, Roundtree returned in a Shaft reboot alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
Roundtree is an advocate for the fight against breast cancer, a disease which he has personally overcome. Roundtree is on the lecture circuit and takes part in events to help raise awareness and funds towards finding a cure for this disease.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening With Richard Roundtree
Videos
‘Shaft’ Star Richard Roundtree Opens Up About his Battle with Breast Cancer
Celebrate Richard Roundtree's 80th birthday! WATCH #RollinWithRoland: 1-on-1 w/ Richard Roundtree
Books
News
Testimonials
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