Actor Richard Roundtree describes Gordon Parks as an old school gentleman and friend. He details his experience of being directed by Parks in the 1971 film Shaft, and sees many similarities between the title character and director.

Richard Roundtree began acting in Off-Broadway roles, resulting in his starring in The Great White Hope (1970). His life would change forever when he was cast in the role of private detective John Shaft in the legendary Shaft movie franchise, directed by Gordon Parks. Over 100 film and television projects followed. On television, he won an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Series, and a Peabody Award for his narration of the PBS documentary The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow (2002).

From the HBO / Kunhardt Film Foundation (KFF) Documentary "A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks" that follows Parks' career, from staff photographer for LIFE magazine through his artistic development and evolution as a novelist and filmmaker.

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Richard Roundtree, Actor
Interviewed By: John Maggio

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