Richard Roundtree (1942 - 2023)
We were honored when Richard opened his home, photo albums and materials to allow us to create this, one of our first Working Actor Profiles in 1999. He was a class act then and remained throughout his prolific career.
Although with consistency being the benchmark for stardom in Hollywood, Richard Roundtree proved to be a star in every sense of the word. As a leading actor and co-star of over forty-five years, he established himself as a constant force with his stellar work in both feature films and television. And yet this "Working Actor" still fit the bill as his roles had varied and his appetite for continued acting assignments never wavered!
Discovering that he enjoyed the spotlight while on a football scholarship at Southern Illinois University, Richard signed with Johnson Publications to model in their annual Ebony Fashion Fair, touring 79 cities in 90 days- Roundtree 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 culminated in his starring role as Jack Johnson in "The Great White Hope".
Richard initially received international. fame starring as John Shaft: private detective and supercop hero in a trio of movies: “Shaft”, “Shaft in Africa”, and "Shaft's Big Score". He also starred in the 90 minute television series, "Shaft".
But Roundtree was just beginning to stretch his talents. He quickly moved on. to star in a number of films with some of Hollywood's most legendary actors. "City Heat” with Clint Eastwood, "Diamonds", with Robert Shaw, "Man Friday" with Peter O'Toole, "Game for Vultures" with Richard Harris, and "Inchon" with Laurence Olivier, naming just a few.
Richard's recent work has been just as impressive, having added the smash hit thriller "Seven" with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, and the critically acclaimed "Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored" . Other recent features include “Steel” with basketball superstar Shaquile O’Neal and the highly successful "George of the Jungle" for Disney Pictures.
He was recently given an honor by being nominated by the NAACP for an IMAGE AWARD as Best Actor in a Drama Series for his work as Mr. Thomas on the highly acclaimed FOX series, 413 Hope Street.
Richard was seen earlier this year on CBS portraying Booker T. Washington in the top rated movie for television, "Having Our Say". Other television highlights have been the movies for television, "Christmas in Connecticut", directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the recent "Bonanza" MOW's for NBC, and playing Charles Dutton's gay Uncle on several episodes of "Roc". He has also starred as a regular on the series, "Outlaws" for CBS, "Buddies" for ABC, and "Rescue 77" for the WB network.
Richard devotes his time to projects concerning children and is an excellent photographer and an avid golfer. A recent grandfather, Richard makes his home in Agoura Hills, California, with his wife Karen, daughters Tayler-Marie, Morgan and his new son John James.
Acting is a circle and you get what you put out. It requires a high degree of professionalism to keep the circle going. Being late; being unprepared; or not knowing your lines, breaks the circle.
The stage prepares you for that degree of professionalism. People who have had a background in the theater automatically develop a work ethic that gives them that level of professionalism".
Lesson learned:
Richard shared this anicdote which were added to our list of "Famous Quotes".
While working in Lebanon on "Embassy" with Chuck Conners, Max von Sydow, and Broderick Crawford. Richard recalls being frustrated with the antics of an unprepared young actor. Seeing his frustration, Crawford took Roundtree aside and interjected,:
Whatever you do in this business; It's much easier than lifting heavy things!"
Agent
http://www.smsagency.com
+1 323 655 1313 phone
+1 323 389 1577 fax
info@smsagency.com
Management
McMinn Management 310-235-1464 / 805-379-8955
2021-2022 Cherish the Day (TV Series)
Mandeville 'MV' St. James
2019-2022 Family Reunion (TV Series)
Grandpa / Jeb McKellan / Jebidiah McKellan / ...
2019-2021 Family Reunion (TV Series)
Grandpa
2020 Game On! A Comedy Crossover Event (TV Series)
Grandpa
2013-2019 Being Mary Jane (TV Series)
Paul Patterson, Sr.
2018 Lethal Weapon (TV Series)
Don Bennett
2017-2018 Star (TV Series)
Charles Floyd
2015 The Player (TV Series)
Judge Samuel Letts
2015 Chicago Fire (TV Series)
Wallace Boden, Sr.
2012 Private Practice (TV Series)
Raymond McCray
2009-2011 Diary of a Single Mom (TV Series)
Lou Bailey / Mr. Bailey
2011 The Mentalist (TV Series)
Floyd Benton
2010 Meet the Browns (TV Series)
Frank
2007-2009 Lincoln Heights (TV Series)
Coleman Bradshaw
2009 Knight Rider (TV Series)
Lawrence Rivai
2006-2007 Heroes (TV Series)
Charles Deveaux
2006 Close to Home (TV Series)
Cyrus Carter
2006 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series)
Donald Burke
2006 Blade: The Series (TV Series)
Robert Brooks
2005 The Closer (TV Series)
Col. D.B. Walter
2004-2005 Desperate Housewives (TV Series)
Mr. Shaw
2003 1-800-Missing (TV Series)
Sam Haslett
2001 Resurrection Blvd. (TV Series)
Nate Khane
2000-2001 Soul Food (TV Series)
Hardy Lester
1999 Rescue 77 (TV Series)
Captain Durfee
1998 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV Series)
'Barracuda' Jim Barnes
1997-1998 413 Hope St. (TV Series)
Phil Thomas
1997 Profiler (TV Series)
Det. James Henegar
1990-1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series)
Reverend Gordon Sims / Dr. Mumford
1996 Buddies (TV Series)
Henry Carlisle
1996 Touched by an Angel (TV Series)
Murray
1995 Dream On (TV Series)
Dr. Charles
1995 The Wayans Bros. (TV Series)
Dr. Saunders
1994 Renegade (TV Series)
Gene Collins
1992-1994 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (TV Series)
Chester Cooper
1991-1994 Roc (TV Series)
Russell Emerson
1992 L.A. Law (TV Series)
Judge Ira Menday
1992 Hearts Are Wild (TV Series)
Xavier Burns
1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV Series)
Robinson Ashe Jr.
1991 The Young Riders (TV Series)
Calvin
1990 Generations (TV Series)
Dr. Daniel Reubens
1990 MacGyver (TV Series)
R.T. Hines
1990 21 Jump Street (TV Series)
Ben Halley
1989 Beauty and the Beast (TV Series)
Cleon Manning
1989 Amen (TV Series)
Sgt. Burke
1989 A Different World (TV Series)
Clinton Reese
1988 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Major Kevin Cooper
1988 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)
Jason Ruigh
1986-1987 Outlaws (TV Series)
Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
1985 Hollywood Beat (TV Series)
Don Julian
1985 A.D. (TV Mini Series)
Serpenius
1983 Masquerade (TV Series)
Mean Willy Walters
1983 Magnum, P.I. (TV Series)
Peter Jordan
1980 The Love Boat (TV Series)
Dave Wilbur
1973-1974 Shaft (TV Series)
John Shaft
2022 Cherish the Day (TV Series)
Mandeville 'MV' St. James
2019-2021 Family Reunion (TV Series)
Grandpa
2020 Game On! A Comedy Crossover Event (TV Series)
Grandpa
2013-2019 Being Mary Jane (TV Series)
Paul Patterson, Sr.
2018 Lethal Weapon (TV Series)
Don Bennett
2017-2018 Star (TV Series)
Charles Floyd
2015 The Player (TV Series)
Judge Samuel Letts
2015 Chicago Fire (TV Series)
Wallace Boden, Sr.
2012 Private Practice (TV Series)
Raymond McCray
2009-2011 Diary of a Single Mom (TV Series)
Lou Bailey / Mr. Bailey
2011 The Mentalist (TV Series)
Floyd Benton
2010 Meet the Browns (TV Series)
Frank
2007-2009 Lincoln Heights (TV Series)
Coleman Bradshaw
2009 Knight Rider (TV Series)
Lawrence Rivai
2006-2007 Heroes (TV Series)
Charles Deveaux
2006 Close to Home (TV Series)
Cyrus Carter
2006 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series)
Donald Burke
2006 Blade: The Series (TV Series)
Robert Brooks
2005 The Closer (TV Series)
Col. D.B. Walter
2004-2005 Desperate Housewives (TV Series)
Mr. Shaw
2003 1-800-Missing (TV Series)
Sam Haslett
2001 Resurrection Blvd. (TV Series)
Nate Khane
2000-2001 Soul Food (TV Series)
Hardy Lester
1999 Rescue 77 (TV Series)
Captain Durfee
1998 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV Series)
'Barracuda' Jim Barnes
1997-1998 413 Hope St. (TV Series)
Phil Thomas
1997 Profiler (TV Series)
Det. James Henegar
1990-1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series)
Reverend Gordon Sims / Dr. Mumford
1996 Buddies (TV Series)
Henry Carlisle
1996 Touched by an Angel (TV Series)
Murray
1995 Dream On (TV Series)
Dr. Charles
1995 The Wayans Bros. (TV Series)
Dr. Saunders
1994 Renegade (TV Series)
Gene Collins
1992-1994 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (TV Series)
Chester Cooper
1991-1994 Roc (TV Series)
Russell Emerson
1992 L.A. Law (TV Series)
Judge Ira Menday
1992 Hearts Are Wild (TV Series)
Xavier Burns
1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV Series)
Robinson Ashe Jr.
1991 The Young Riders (TV Series)
Calvin
1990 Generations (TV Series)
Dr. Daniel Reubens
1990 MacGyver (TV Series)
R.T. Hines
1990 21 Jump Street (TV Series)
Ben Halley
1989 Beauty and the Beast (TV Series)
Cleon Manning
1989 Amen (TV Series)
Sgt. Burke
1989 A Different World (TV Series)
Clinton Reese
1988 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Major Kevin Cooper
1988 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)
Jason Ruigh
1986-1987 Outlaws (TV Series)
Isaiah 'Ice' McAdams
1985 Hollywood Beat (TV Series)
Don Julian
1985 A.D. (TV Mini Series)
Serpenius
1983 Masquerade (TV Series)
Mean Willy Walters
1983 Magnum, P.I. (TV Series)
Peter Jordan
1980 The Love Boat (TV Series)
Dave Wilbur
1973-1974 Shaft (TV Series)
John Shaft
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** NBC Universal
*** © 2012 Todd Williamson