Richard Roundtree, who starred as detective John Shaft in a series of action thrillers, died Tuesday. He was 81.

Roundtree died at his home in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer, his manager told media outlets.

Richards work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film, the manager, Patrick McMinn, told Variety in his statement. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.