SHAFT actor Richard Roundtree was married and divorced twice prior to his October 2023 passing.
His final marriage was to Karen Michelle Ciernia, which ended in 1998.
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Who was Richard Roundtree?
Richard Roundtree was an actor from New Rochelle, New York.
Born on July 9, 1942, he was dubbed “the first black action hero” after portraying the role of detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels.
Outside of his roles in the Shaft franchise, the Hollywood star also notably appeared in the films, George of the Jungle (1997), Brick (2005), and Speed Racer (2008).
His television credits included roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Diary of a Single Mom, Chicago Fire, Being Mary Jane, Family Reunion, and Cherish the Day, among others.
Tragically, Roundtree passed away on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
His death was confirmed to ABC News by his longtime manager, Patrick McMinn.
“His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come,” his talent agency, Artists & Representatives Agency, said in a statement.
“Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Who were Richard Roundtree’s ex-wives?
Prior to his passing, Roundtree married two women, including:
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Mary Jane Grant
Rountree’s first marriage was to Mary Jane Grant.
The pair tied the knot in November 1963, when he was just 21 years old.
Not much is known about Grant’s life, but she once worked as an assistant art director on the sets of The New Avengers (1977) and The Last Change (1981), according to IMDb.
Roundtree and Grant were married for 10 years before parting ways in 1973.
Karen Michelle Ciernia
After Rountree’s first divorce, he went on to have a relationship with actress and former professional tennis player Cathy Lee Crosby.
Their relationship ultimately fizzled out and he went on to marry his second wife, Karen Michelle Ciernia, in 1980.
Not much is known about Ciernia’s personal life because she often stayed out of the spotlight, but their marriage also ended in divorce in 1998.
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How many kids does Richard Roundtree have?
Throughout the course of Roundtree’s marriages, he welcomed five kids.
He first welcomed Kelli and Nicole with his first wife, followed by Taylor, Morgan, and John during his second.
All of Roundtree’s kids have lived a life out of the spotlight, so it is not known what they’re up to today.
At the time of his passing, he had at least one grandchild, according to The New York Times.
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