Veteran actress, Judy Pace, renowned for her roles in films such as 'Brian's Song' and 'Three in the Attic', has passed away at 83.
Veteran actress and model, Judy Pace has bid farewell to the world at the age of 83. She was known for her memorable performances in films such as Brian's Song, Three in the Attic, Cotton Comes to Harlem, and 13 Frightened Girls. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by her family, which marks the end of her inspiring decades-long career in Hollywood.
According to Deadline, Judy Pace's daughters, Julia Pace Mitchell and Shawn Meshelle Mitchell, she passed away peacefully while she was visiting her family in Marina Del Rey, California. Additionally, they revealed that she passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 11, 2026, surrounded by her relatives. Although the statement did not reveal any mention of any particular disease, they added that her death was calm and surrounded by her loved ones.
At the same time, they have not revealed any exact medical cause of death. But the announcement was shared by a statement released by her daughters, who expressed their gratitude to their mother's supporters for their love and prayers during the difficult time. Meanwhile, the news has gone viral across Hollywood and social media, where many fans recalled how the actress broke significant barriers in her career. Her fellow actress, Freda Payne mourned her death and penned:
"Here’s to my dear friend Judy Pace. My heart is saddened by her passing. She had such a beautiful spirit and will always be remembered with love. May she rest in peace. She is now with the Lord and will be deeply missed."
According to their official statement, Judy Pace's daughters described their mother as a loving grandmother and a woman whose influence extended far beyond her acting career. Moreover, they have asked fans for privacy while they mourn her loss. The veteran actress is now survived by her daughters, Julia, Shawn, and her grandson, Stephen Lamar Hightower III. She was previously married to Don Mitchell, known for his role in Ironside. They welcomed two daughters but later decided to separate. Eventually, Judy married baseball legend, Curt Flood, and they remained together until he died in 1997. Despite her popularity, Judy kept the majority of her personal life private.
Judy Pace was born on June 15, 1942, in Los Angeles. She began her career as a model before moving into acting. The actress first rose to fame as one of the youngest models on Ebony Fashion Fair. Judy made her film debut in the early 1960s with a role in the Cold War spy film, 13 Frightened Girls. Over the next few years, she appeared in numerous popular television shows, including Batman, Bewitched, I Spy, and Peyton Place.
One of her most memorable performances was in the drama series, The Young Lawyers, where she won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress. Gradually, in the '70s, Judy was recognised for her work in Blaxploitation cinema, including Cotton Comes to Harlem and The Slams. Yet her role as Gale Sayers' wife in Brian's Song remains iconic to this day.
Rest in peace, Judy Pace.
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