Richard Roundtree, star of Shaft and Roots, dies aged 81

The actor, whose career spanned more than four decades in Hollywood, died in Los Angeles from pancreatic cancer

Richard Roundtree, known for playing the suave lead role in the 1971 film Shaft died on Thursday, the Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, have reported.

Roundtree, 81, died in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Patrick McMinn, Roundtree's longtime manager told the Hollywood Reporter.