Richard Roundtree was born on the 9th July 1942, in New Rochelle, New York State, USA. He is an actor and former model, perhaps still best known for his memorable role as John Shaft in the film “Shaft” (1971). He has appeared in numerous movies during the 70s and 80s such as “Escape To Athena” (1979), “Game For Vultures” (1979), and “City Heat” (1984). Roundtree regained his popularity with a role in movie “Se7en” (1995), and in a remake of “Shaft” (2000), where he portrayed Samuel L. Jackson’s uncle. His career began in 1970.
Have you ever wondered how rich Richard Roundtree is, as of mid-2016? According to authoritative sources, Roundtree’s estimated net worth is $2 million. Although he pursued a modeling career before started acting, his primary income is from appearances on the big screen.
Richard Roundtree Net Worth $4 Million
Richard Roundtree was born to John and Kathryn. He graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1961, and later attended Southern Illinois University. Roundtree received a football scholarship at SIU, and caught the eye of Johnson Publications after a stellar performance in an undefeated football team, and became a fashion model for annual Ebony Fashion Fair. After he finished college, Roundtree went back to New York where he gained a role in the Negro Ensemble Company. One of his best stage roles was as Jack Johnson, the heavyweight boxing champ in “The Great White Hope”.
The international fame Roundtree received after his remarkable appearance in “Shaft”, in which he played a private detective and supercop hero. Roundtree later starred in two sequels and a remake as well. Although he received only $12,500 for the role in “Shaft”, Roundtree remains famous and recognizable by that role. He emerged as a movie star and quickly appeared in films with superstars like Clint Eastwood, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Richard Harris, David Niven, Peter O’Toole, and Robert Shaw, among others.
Roundtree has more than 70 films to his name, starting in the 1970s and until the present day. During the 1970s, he appeared in such productions as “Earthquake” (1974), for which he received $50,000, “Man Friday” (1975), and “A Game For Vultures”, among others, all of which added to his net worth. The 1980s, only made it easier for him to acquire new roles, and films such as “Inchon” (1981), for which he earned a personal-best $200,000, then “Maniac Cop” (1988), and “Crack House” (1989), only increased further his net worth. Richard continued successfully all through the 1990s, landing roles in such films as “Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored” (1995), “Original Gangstas” (1996), “George of the Jungle” (1997), and “Steel” (1997), among others.
The beginning of the 2000s increased the number of films in which he appeared; starting with the role in Peter Howitt`s “Antitrust” (2001), and in Rob Pritts` “Corky Romano” (2001). After that, Richard appeared in films such as “Boat Trip” (2002), “Brick” (2005), “Wild Seven” (2006), “All The Days Before Tomorrow” (2007), and “Speed Racer” (2008), which also added to his net worth. To speak further of his accomplishments, Richard will appear in films “Old School Gangstas”, and “Retreat!”, which are scheduled for 2016 release. In addition to acting in films, Roundtree also had many regular roles in TV series. The CBS’s “Outlaws” (1986-1987), and ABC’s “Buddies” (1996), were among the most notable while “Desperate Housewives” (2004-20050, “Grey’s Anatomy” (2006), and “Heroes” (2006-2007) are also in his portfolio. He won a Peabody Award for narration of the PBS documentary “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow” (2002).
Thanks to his talents, Richard received several prestigious nominations, and awards, including Golden Globe Award in the category of Most Promising Newcomer – Male for his work on the film “Shaft”. Furthermore, he won the MTV Movie Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the same film, among others. In his personal life, Richard Roundtree was married to Mary Jane Grant(1963-1973), andthey have two children. Karen M. Ciernia was his second spouse; they married in 1980, but they’re currently separated. Roundtree has two daughters and a son from his second marriages. A big fighter for cancer awareness, Roundtree suffered from a rare case of male breast cancer back in 1993. He underwent a successful double mastectomy and chemotherapy. His side interests are football, photography, and golf.
Golden Globe Award for Best New Star of the Year – Actor, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Movies
Shaft, Shaft in Africa, Shaft's Big Score, George of the Jungle, Seven, Maniac Cop, City Heat, Original Gangstas, Corky Romano, Escape to Athena, Antitrust, Speed Racer, The Graduates of Malibu High, Inchon, An Eye for an Eye, Charley One-Eye, Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored, Game for Vultur...
TV Shows
Rescue 77, 413 Hope St., Buddies, Generations, Outlaws, Shaft, Being Mary Jane, Roots
A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ Jack Johnson (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".
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His performance as John Shaft in Shaft (1971) is ranked #62 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
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Sidelines: Photographer and golfer.
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A member of New York's renowned Negro Ensemble Company, one of his best early stage roles was as black heavyweight boxing champ 'Jack Johnson (VIII)_ (1878-1946) in "The Great White Hope.".
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Went to Southern Illinois University on a football scholarship.
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Former Ebony Fashion Fair model.
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Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, he is an advocate now and talks to men's groups about early detection.
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Has tried to disassociate himself as a "black action hero" ever since he portrayed his famed role as John Shaft in the three Shaft films. From Miles Quade (the African-American motorcycle stuntman in an Evel Knievel mold in Earthquake (1974) to an elderly senior citizen in Soul Food (2000), he has came to terms with the fact that he will always be known as Shaft.
Big shock when Richard took his white gf home to meet his parents! This Saluki remembers him.