John Shaft — Shaft's Big Score! Character Profile

About John Shaft

Harlem-based private investigator and the central protagonist across both films. In 1971, he navigates racial and gang tensions to rescue Bumpy Jonas's kidnapped daughter. In 1972, he investigates his friend's murder, uncovers a corrupt numbers racket, outsmits mob hitmen, and recovers stolen funds, maintaining his independent, morally grounded vigilante ethos.

John Shaft — Character Profile

Quick Facts about John Shaft

Occupation

private investigator

Nationality

[[United States

John Shaft appears in 4 titles

• Shaft (1971) — character page
• Shaft's Big Score! (1972)
• Shaft (2000) — character page
• Shaft (2019) — character page

Character Facts

Played by

Richard Roundtree

Appears in

Shaft's Big Score! (1972)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (3)

• John Shaft — Romantic Lovers — Rita (Kathy Imrie)
• John Shaft — Conflict Archenemy — Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo)
• John Shaft — Conflict Arch Enemy — Johnny Kelly (Wally Taylor)

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Shaft's Big Score!

More characters from Shaft's Big Score!

• Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn)
• Willy (Drew Bundini Brown)
• Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo)
• Johnson (Don Blakely)
• Rita (Kathy Imrie)
• Old Lady (Evelyn Davis )
• Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill)
• Det. Salmi (Henry Ferrentino)
• Preacher (Thomas Anderson)
• Junior Gillis (Melvin Green, Jr.)
• Harrison (Bob Jefferson)
• Caretaker (Jimmy Hayeson)