Legendary actor Richard Roundtree (81) and musician Angelo Bruschini (62) pass away due to cancer
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The entertainment industry is reeling from the news of the passing of two prominent stars due to a devastating disease.
Richard Roundtree, the suave and charismatic actor best known for his role in the 1971 film Shaft, has died on October 24 at the age of 81. Roundtree passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his representatives.
Angelo Bruschini, the guitarist of Massive Attack, also died on October 23 at the age of 62. He reportedly battled a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Roundtree was born in 1942 in New Rochelle, New York.
He went to university on a football scholarship in the early 1960s. But left Southern Illinois University to pursue a modelling career.
In 1967, Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company to jumpstart his acting career.
Roundtree shot to fame playing John Shaft—the cool and fearless detective navigating the underworld of Harlem, New York. The breakout role cemented his status as a trailblazing Black leading man in Hollywood and helped redefine representations of Black masculinity on the big screen.
The actor reprised the role in a number of sequels and in a network TV series.
'His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe, and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,' Roundtree’s agency, Artists & Representatives, said.
Throughout his career of more than four decades, he played numerous roles in films and television, including the limited series Roots (1977) and Earthquake (1974), in which he played Miles, a motorcycle daredevil.
One of his popular films was Once Upon a Time … When We Were Colored (1996), which was a story of a tight-knit Black community dealing with the racism of post-war Mississippi.
In 2010, the younger generation knew him as Gabrielle Union’s father in the series Being Mary Jane.
'Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream … He was simply the best & we all loved him,' Gabrielle Union shared.
You can read Union’s full post below:
Source: X/@itsgabrielleu.
Tributes to Roundtree were shared on social media with Sheryl Lee Ralph, star of Abbott Elementary, remembering him as a 'wonderful human being'.
'The passing of Richard Roundtree is a real blow,' Samuel L. Jackson said.
'Thanks for making us feel real good about ourselves!' he added.
You can read Jackson’s full post below:
Source: X/@SamuelLJackson.
Roundtree was married twice and was father to four daughters (Nicole, Tayler, Morgan, and Kelli) and one son (James).
The actor also has three upcoming projects yet to be released at the time of his passing.
His decades of captivating performances have truly left a lasting mark on Hollywood and the world’s culture.
Richard Roundtree's life was truly remarkable and well-lived.
The music community, on the other hand, is mourning the loss of Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini, who died on October 23rd at age 62 after battling a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Bruschini was a founding member of the pioneering British trip-hop group, which rose to fame in the 1990s with singles like 'Unfinished Sympathy' and 'Teardrop.' His textured guitar work was a key part of their signature atmospheric sound.
'Devastated. How lucky we all were to share such a life together. Such a brilliant, eccentric talent. Impossible to quantify your contribution. RIP Angelo,' Massive Attack wrote in a heartfelt tribute on social media.
You can read Massive Attack’s full tribute below:
Source: X/@MassiveAttackUK.
Bruschini’s wife, Jessica Merritt, also shared the news of his passing with their family and friends on social media.
'I am very sad to announce that my beautiful husband, Angelo Bruschini, died on October 23, 2023, at 12:15 am. It was from a rare and aggressive cancer—pleomorphic carcinoma,' she said.
Merritt described his husband as a 'true gentleman until the end'.
Bruschini also played guitar for The Blue Aeroplanes, a rock band, which also shared a tribute for the late musician.
'We are devastated to announce the passing of our brother Angelo Bruschini. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Rest In Peace, Ange,' they said.
Earlier this year, the musician informed his followers that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
'Twice now, I have been told “good luck” by specialists at the hospital over lung cancer, I think I’m f****d!' Bruschini wrote candidly on social media in July.
'Had a great life, seen the world many, many times, met lots of wonderful people, but the door is closing, think I will write a book.'
This update was his final social media post.
Fans have been expressing their grief about Bruschini's passing, with one saying: 'Our hearts ache at the loss of a remarkable talent. Angelo's legacy will forever live on through the music!'
Another replied: 'So sorry to hear of Angelo’s passing. His sublime performance with all the members of the band on our show remains one of our fondest memories. RIP Angelo.'
'It’s clear that his contribution was immeasurable and deeply cherished by the group,' a third commented.
'RIP, what a legacy!' a fourth said.
Angelo Bruschini was a gifted musician who brought joy through his craft. Though his days were tragically cut short, his memorable guitar work with Massive Attack and other collaborations lives on.
Our thoughts are with Richard Roundtree’s and Angelo Bruschini’s family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Their legacies will continue inspiring actors and musicians for generations to come. May their souls rest in peace.
Richard Roundtree, the suave and charismatic actor best known for his role in the 1971 film Shaft, has died on October 24 at the age of 81. Roundtree passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his representatives.
Angelo Bruschini, the guitarist of Massive Attack, also died on October 23 at the age of 62. He reportedly battled a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Roundtree was born in 1942 in New Rochelle, New York.
He went to university on a football scholarship in the early 1960s. But left Southern Illinois University to pursue a modelling career.
In 1967, Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company to jumpstart his acting career.
Rest in Peace, Richard Roundtree and Angelo Bruschini. Image sources: X/@theglisted (left), Instagram/@massiveattackofficial (right).
Roundtree shot to fame playing John Shaft—the cool and fearless detective navigating the underworld of Harlem, New York. The breakout role cemented his status as a trailblazing Black leading man in Hollywood and helped redefine representations of Black masculinity on the big screen.
The actor reprised the role in a number of sequels and in a network TV series.
'His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe, and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,' Roundtree’s agency, Artists & Representatives, said.
Throughout his career of more than four decades, he played numerous roles in films and television, including the limited series Roots (1977) and Earthquake (1974), in which he played Miles, a motorcycle daredevil.
One of his popular films was Once Upon a Time … When We Were Colored (1996), which was a story of a tight-knit Black community dealing with the racism of post-war Mississippi.
In 2010, the younger generation knew him as Gabrielle Union’s father in the series Being Mary Jane.
'Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream … He was simply the best & we all loved him,' Gabrielle Union shared.
You can read Union’s full post below:
Source: X/@itsgabrielleu.
Tributes to Roundtree were shared on social media with Sheryl Lee Ralph, star of Abbott Elementary, remembering him as a 'wonderful human being'.
'The passing of Richard Roundtree is a real blow,' Samuel L. Jackson said.
'Thanks for making us feel real good about ourselves!' he added.
You can read Jackson’s full post below:
Source: X/@SamuelLJackson.
Roundtree was married twice and was father to four daughters (Nicole, Tayler, Morgan, and Kelli) and one son (James).
The actor also has three upcoming projects yet to be released at the time of his passing.
His decades of captivating performances have truly left a lasting mark on Hollywood and the world’s culture.
Richard Roundtree's life was truly remarkable and well-lived.
The music community, on the other hand, is mourning the loss of Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini, who died on October 23rd at age 62 after battling a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Bruschini was a founding member of the pioneering British trip-hop group, which rose to fame in the 1990s with singles like 'Unfinished Sympathy' and 'Teardrop.' His textured guitar work was a key part of their signature atmospheric sound.
'Devastated. How lucky we all were to share such a life together. Such a brilliant, eccentric talent. Impossible to quantify your contribution. RIP Angelo,' Massive Attack wrote in a heartfelt tribute on social media.
You can read Massive Attack’s full tribute below:
Source: X/@MassiveAttackUK.
Bruschini’s wife, Jessica Merritt, also shared the news of his passing with their family and friends on social media.
'I am very sad to announce that my beautiful husband, Angelo Bruschini, died on October 23, 2023, at 12:15 am. It was from a rare and aggressive cancer—pleomorphic carcinoma,' she said.
Merritt described his husband as a 'true gentleman until the end'.
Bruschini also played guitar for The Blue Aeroplanes, a rock band, which also shared a tribute for the late musician.
'We are devastated to announce the passing of our brother Angelo Bruschini. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Rest In Peace, Ange,' they said.
Earlier this year, the musician informed his followers that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
'Twice now, I have been told “good luck” by specialists at the hospital over lung cancer, I think I’m f****d!' Bruschini wrote candidly on social media in July.
'Had a great life, seen the world many, many times, met lots of wonderful people, but the door is closing, think I will write a book.'
This update was his final social media post.
Fans have been expressing their grief about Bruschini's passing, with one saying: 'Our hearts ache at the loss of a remarkable talent. Angelo's legacy will forever live on through the music!'
Another replied: 'So sorry to hear of Angelo’s passing. His sublime performance with all the members of the band on our show remains one of our fondest memories. RIP Angelo.'
'It’s clear that his contribution was immeasurable and deeply cherished by the group,' a third commented.
'RIP, what a legacy!' a fourth said.
Angelo Bruschini was a gifted musician who brought joy through his craft. Though his days were tragically cut short, his memorable guitar work with Massive Attack and other collaborations lives on.
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