Known as the godfather of Black cinema, if it was not for the get the job done of Melvin Van Peebles there would be no "Shaft" or any of the other famous do the job from the Blaxploitation motion and outside of. The operate of Van Peebles can be observed in almost everything from Spike Lee to Van Peebles' son, Mario Van Peebles ("New Jack City"). Walter died in her sleep at her residence in New York City on March 24, according to Bowman.