Hours before the death of groundbreaking actress Judy Pace was confirmed on March 15, 2026, Hallmark star Holly Robinson Peete shared the news via social media with a heavy heart.
Sharing a post from longtime BET anchor Ed Gordon about Pace’s passing, Robinson Peete wrote in her caption, “🙏🏽🤍💔🕊️One of my earliest heroes… #JudyPace was EVERYTHING Talented Simply Synonymous with Black Beauty🔥❤️”
Holly Robinson Peete Thanks Judy Pace for ‘Paving the Way’
Over a throwback photo of Pace, Robinson Peete added to her tribute, “Rest In Peace, Ms. Judy Pace … You will always be remembered … Thank you for paving the way 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽”
Pace, who appeared in many films and TV shows in the 60s and 70s, was 83 when she died on March 11, according to Deadline. The outlet reported that the actress and model’s daughters, Shawn and Julia Pace Mitchell, said she “died peacefully in her sleep” while visiting family in Marina Del Rey, California.
Pace became Ebony Fashion Fair’s youngest model in 1961, per Deadline, and was the first Black woman under contract at Columbia Studios when she made her onscreen debut in 1963’s “3 Frightened Girls.” She won the 1970 NAACP Image Award for Best Actress for her role on the series “The Young Lawyers,” per IMDb.
Hundreds of fans flooded Robinson Peete’s post about Pace. The “Hats Off to Love” star replied “same” to someone who wrote, “I grew up watching Judy Pace and Christie Love… they were our first look at Black Beauty on tv. RIP!”
Celebrity hairstylist Elgin Charles commented, “I’m going to miss my Judes. She was so vivacious, witty, and caring. Every time we spoke, she would give me sage advice on a variety of things. Rest easy, Queen. 🕊️🙏🏽🕊️”
Judy Pace Was Among the ‘Most Prominent Black Actors on TV’ in the 60s and 70s
GettyIn addition to her many acting credits, including roles on TV series including the popular primetime soap “Peyton Place,” which made her one of “the most prominent Black actors on TV at the time,” according to Variety.
Pace was also a philanthropist and activist who co-founded the Kwanza Foundation in 1971 with her dear friend and fellow actress Nichelle Nichols, per Deadline, “supporting Black women working in film and providing scholarships to minority students pursuing careers in the arts.”
After her first marriage to actor Don Mitchell, Pace met her match in trailblazing baseball player Curtis Flood, who “spoke out against segregated spring training camps in Florida and traveled to Mississippi with Jackie Robinson to support non-violent protests organized by the NAACP,” per the MLB, and later ” sacrificed his career to challenge baseball’s reserve clause and pave the way for free agency.”
Deadline reported that Pace’s family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to the NAACP.
She was also in a made for TV movie with old Hollywood actor Ray Malane about insects invading everywhere!
So sad . I’m old enough to remember all of her movies! She was beautiful and talented. May she rest in peace. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends!