Which role did Richard Roundtree play in Family Reunion? Details explored as groundbreaking star dies aged 82

American actor Richard Roundtree, best known for starring in the Shaft movie series, has passed away at the age of 82 in his Los Angeles home. As per media outlet The Wrap, the star died after a short battle with pancreatic cancer and was surrounded by his family during his final moments. The news was confirmed by his agency Artists & Partners via a statement issued to the publication.

“Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Richard Roundtree starred in a number of landmark films, including 1971’s Shaft and its two sequels, 1972’s Shaft’s Big Score! and 1973’s Shaft in Africa. He was nominated for a New Star of the Year at the Golden Globes after the first movie.

After the news of Roundtree's death went viral, Samuel L. Jackson, who played the role of his nephew in Shaft's 2000 sequel took to his Instagram handle to pay tribute to the deceased.

"His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too. Love you Brother, I see you walking down the Middle of Main Street in Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song.”

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Richard Roundtree played the role of Grandpa in Family Reunion

In Meg DeLoatch's 2019 sitcom Family Reunion, Richard Roundtree played the role of Grandpa. He is shown as the husband of Loretta Devine, who is known as M’Dear. The series also stars Talia Jackson, Tia Mowry, Anthony Alabi, Cameron J. Wright, Jordyn Raya James, Isaiah Russell-Bailey, and Telma Hopkins in pivotal roles.

After receiving a cancer diagnosis in 1993, Roundtree traveled the nation to tell his story and increase awareness of male breast cancer. While speaking to ABC in 2009, he said:

"The doctor told me, ‘You have breast cancer.' I heard the cancer part first — it was only later that I heard the breast part. I couldn’t believe it.”

He said that it was "really tough" for him to not talk about his cancer.

“And now that I do talk about it all the time, it’s really become a backhanded blessing. I was getting on a plane recently and a flight attendant ran up to me and said ‘You saved my husband’s life.'”

The Library of Congress chose Shaft for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2000. It was chosen because it was "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Shaft was soon voted one of the finest pictures ever created by the New York Times. As per Wrap, Richard Roundtree once spoke about the significance of his character on Shaft.

“I constantly deal with being called Shaft, and it never ceases to blow me away with the impact that character had on my life and my fans’ lives.”

In 1977, the actor played Sam Bennett in the television miniseries Roots, which was adapted from the Alex Haley book. The movie sparked discussions on race and history all through the country and attracted the third-largest viewership in television history at the time.

For the 1996 film Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored, the esteemed actor also portrayed the father of a Black Mississippi family dealing with discrimination in the South.

Roundtree's television credits include Generations, 413 Hope St., Alias, Diary of a Single Mom, Buddies, Desperate Housewives, Soul Food, and Being Mary Jane.