Beloved actress Judy Pace has sadly passed away at the age of 83. She was known for starring in Blaxploitation films like Brian's Song and Cotton Comes To Harlem.
Her daughters, Shawn and Julia Pace Mitchell, announced the tragic death on Wednesday, as reported by Deadline. They said that she "died peacefully in her sleep" surrounded by family whilst on a visit to Marina Del Rey.
Judy Pace was born in June 1942 in Los Angeles. She first trained as a model before making her onscreen debut in the Cold War spy film 13 Frightened Girls.
She was the first Black woman to be contracted at Columbia Studios. Her star-studded career included TV appearances in several cult classic TV shows. Judy Pace starred in episodes of I Spy, Batman, and Tarzan. But her most famous roles were those in her Blaxploitation films, including that of her role as Gale Sayers' wife in Brian's Song in 1971.
Judy Pace was also a noted philanthropist. She founded the Kwanza Foundation in 1971 with Nichelle Nichols. The organization supported Black women working in the film industry. It also provided scholarships to minority students pursuing arts degrees and careers.
She is survived by her two daughters and many other cherished and loved family members. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations to the NAACP should be made.
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Fans Have Expressed Their Grief Over Judy Pace's Passing
Fans have expressed their grief in the comment section of TMZ's X post about Judy Pace's passing. One fan wrote, "A television pioneer gone at 83. Judy Pace broke barriers and left a legacy that mattered. Rest easy." Another wrote, "She was so beautiful, Rest In Peace Queen."
Others also noted her legacy as a pioneering Black woman. "A genuine trailblazer in an era when Hollywood made it nearly impossible for Black actresses to break through. Judy Pace carved out space that did not exist before her and 83 years was a life fully lived.", one wrote. Another wrote "Ouch, this is painful."
Everyone is right. She was a trailblazer, a pioneer, and a legend. May Judy Pace rest in peace.
