Christopher St. John is an American actor, director, and producer, born in 1942. He is primarily known for his role as Ben Buford in the cult film *Shaft* (1971), a key figure in the Blaxploitation movement. The following year, he wrote, directed, and starred in *Top of the Heap* (1972), a personal and ambitious work. For this film, St. John gained significant international recognition: it was presented in competition at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival, receiving a nomination for the Golden Bear. His filmography also includes appearances in *The New Centurions* (1972) and several television productions. A member of the Actors Studio, his career is considered an important contribution to African-American cinema of the 1970s, distinguished by his exploration of complex social and identity themes through his roles and his directing.