Richard Roundtree, the original “Shaft,” has died

A man with a red shirt and black jacket.

Richard Roundtree, who starred in the groundbreaking film “Shaft,” in which he portrayed John Shaft, a Black private detective, died on October 24 of pancreatic cancer. He was 81. When Gordon Parks dryly informed Rountree he got the role of Shaft, Rountree said his whole world suddenly turned upside down. It has been variously reported that…

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Roger Ebert got Spike Lee “To Do The Right Thing”

A close up of spike lee wearing glasses

Filmmaker and actor Spike Lee owes much gratitude to film critic Roger Ebert, who encouraged him to release the film “Do the Right Thing,†although Blacks and Whites said the film would cause rioting and looting in some cities. At the Toronto International Film Festival, Lee said that Ebert encouraged Lee to release “Do The…

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Byron Allen makes a bid for ABC Television

A man in a suit and tie sitting on top of a couch.

Media mogul Byron Allen, founder and CEO Allen Media Group and Entertainment Studios, has bid $10 billion to buy Walt Disney’s ABC television network, a spokesperson for Allen said on Friday, according to various media reports. A Disney spokesperson said that the company was “open to considering strategic options for its linear business.” The company has…

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