‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree dies at age 81

Richard Roundtree, who graced the stage and screen for nearly five decades and was best known for his role as a tough-talking private eye in the 1971 film “Shaft,” has died at age 81. Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn confirmed the sad news in a statement late Tuesday evening. “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” McMinn said. “The …