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 work from the Blaxploitation movement and outside of. The do the job of Van Peebles can be found in almost everything from Spike Lee to Van Peebles' son, Mario Van Peebles ("New Jack City"). Walter died in her rest at her household in New York City on March 24, according to Bowman.