A Hollywood legend, Richard Roundtree, known for the action thriller franchise Shaft, breathed his last on Tuesday at the age of 81. Suffering from pancreatic cancer, the death of the veteran star was announced by his longtime manager, Patrick McMinn.

Sharing the statement, the manager said, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” noting, “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.

 

 

 

The late actor previously fought with breast cancer in 1993. Four years earlier, he explained the disease is not woman-centric.

“Breast cancer is not gender specific,” he continued. “And men have this cavalier attitude about health issues. I got such positive feedback because I spoke out about it, and it’s been quite a number of years now. I’m a survivor. Richard tied the knot twice. He had five kids: four daughters and a son.