Image Source: Agencies

Iconic actor Richard Roundtree, better known as John Shaft, has died at the age of 81.

The death of Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor who played John Shaft in the 1970s Shaft films, has saddened many of his fans and colleagues. Roundtree, 81, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer.

His manager confirmed the news. Many celebrities who worked with Roundtree or admired his work paid tribute to him on social media. Gabrielle Union, who played her daughter on BET's Being Mary Jane, wrote to X: "Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream. He and our Being Mary Jane family were always great to be with - the best stories and laughs. He He was always the light of the coolest guy in the room with the BEST vibes and people would literally run up to him to look at him. He was just the best and we all loved him. #RIPRIChardRoundtree."