John Shaft


John Shaft is a fictional character created by screenwriter Ernest Tidyman. He was portrayed by Richard Roundtree in the original 1971 film and in its four sequels, Shaft's Big Score!, Shaft in Africa, Shaft and Shaft, with Samuel L. Jackson portraying his son named John Shaft II in Shaft and Shaft, and Jessie Usher portraying the character's grandson in Shaft. The blurb on the paperback on which the original film is based states Shaft is "Hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt."

Fictional biography

Abilities

John Shaft's weapon of choice is a Smith & Wesson Model 36, Beretta 92FS or an M1911 pistol. Shaft is also a practitioner of several styles of martial arts that includes Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Shotokan, and Kyokushin karate.

Shaft franchise

Novel series

The Shaft! comic book, was published by Dynamite Entertainment, written by David F. Walker and illustrated by Bilquis Evely; beginning in December 2014. New stories following young John Shaft's earliest adventures and adapted closely from the Ernest Tidyman novels.

Film series

YearTitleStarring
1971ShaftRichard Roundtree as John Shaft I
1972Shaft's Big Score!Richard Roundtree as John Shaft I
1973Shaft in AfricaRichard Roundtree as John Shaft I
2000ShaftSamuel L. Jackson as John Shaft II
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Richard Roundtree as John Shaft I
2019ShaftJessie Usher as John Shaft Jr.
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Richard Roundtree as John Shaft I
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Samuel L. Jackson as John Shaft II

Television series

The television show ran from 1973 to 1974, with Richard Roundtree reprising the role of John Shaft. There were seven 90-minute movies, part of the New CBS Tuesday Night Movies, rotating with Hawkins, which starred James Stewart.

Cast and characters


List indicator

  • A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film.

John Shaft in other media

The character has had a mostly positive response.

Literary references