Samuel L. Jackson Remembers ‘Shaft’ Star Richard Roundtree: “The Best To Ever Do It”
Samuel L. Jackson took over the Shaft movie franchise in 2000 from its original lead Richard Roundtree. In the sequel to the 1971 movie, Jackson plays the nephew of John Shaft (Roundtree). The two appeared together in both the 2000 film and another Shaft sequel in 2019.
Following Roundtree’s death Tuesday at the age of 81, Jackson paid tribute to the veteran actor on Instagram.
“Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!! SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!!,” Jackson wrote next to a photo of the two of them from in a scene from Shaft. “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.”
Jackson went on to quote from the late Isaac Hayes’ famous Theme from Shaft, which won an Oscar.