Richard Roundtree (born July 9, 1942) is an American actor and former model. Roundtree is noted as being "the first black action hero" for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973), along with a cameo appearance as the character in the 2000 film Shaft, which starred Samuel L.Jackson as the nephew of the original John Shaft. For his performance in Shaft, Roundtree was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972. Born in New Rochelle, New York to John and Kathryn Roundtree, Roundtree attended New Rochelle High School; graduating in 1961. During high school, Roundtree played for the school's undefeated and nationally ranked football team. After high school, Roundtree attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Roundtree dropped out of college in 1963 to begin his career. Roundtree has been married twice and has five children. His first marriage was to Mary Jane Grant whom he married on November 27, 1963. Together, Roundtree and Grant had two children before divorcing in December 1973. Roundtree later married Karen M.Ciernia in September 1980 and together they had three children. Roundtree and Ciernia divorced in 1998. Roundtree was diagnosed with the rare disease male breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

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