Written and created by Ernest Tidyman(1928-1984) Writer / Producer Ernest Tidyman was born on 1 January 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The French Connection (1971), High Plains Drifter (1973) and Shaft (2019). He was previously married to Chris Clark and Susan Gould. He died on 14 July 1984 in London, England, UK. One of the few white people to win an NAACP Image Award for creating the 'Shaft' books.Came up with the character's name by looking out his book publisher's window and seeing a sign that read "Fire Shaft".Began his writing career as a reporter for the New York Post. Dropped out of school at age 14 and then embarked on a 25 year long career as a journalist, beginning as police reporter for 'The Cleveland News'. In 1960, he became assistant women's editor for 'The New York Times'.Played the violin.His two first film screenplays were Shaft (1971) and The French Connection (1971), both iconic films dealing with the crime scene in the New York of early 1970's. He won an Oscar for the latter film. ... In Memoriam: Richard Roundtree has passed away - He was 81 years old. Richard Roundtree, the actor known for playing John Shaft in multiple Shaft movies, 1971’s Shaft, then followed it with Shaft’s Big Score! in ’72 and Shaft in Africa in ’73. plus the short-lived Shaft TV series in 1973-1974.

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