RIP Judy Pace

 

Actress Judy Pace Passes Away at 83 – Farewell to a Silver Screen Gem

The groundbreaking actress and former Ebony Fashion Fair model leaves behind a legacy of elegance and barrier-breaking roles.

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By Jack Fisher

March 15, 2026

 

The entertainment world has lost one of its most radiant and groundbreaking stars. Judy Pace, the stunning actress whose grace lit up screens large and small for over three decades, has passed away. She was 83.

While details surrounding her transition in March 2026 remain private, the outpouring of love from fans and colleagues makes one thing clear: Judy Pace was more than just a beautiful face—she was a true artist who shattered barriers with every role.

From Ebony Fashion Fair to Hollywood Stardom

Born Judy Lenteen Pace on June 15, 1942, she first captivated audiences not on screen, but on the runway. As one of the youngest models to ever walk in the legendary Ebony Fashion Fair tour in the early 1960s, she became a symbol of elegance and Black representation long before she spoke her first line of dialogue.

That natural charisma made her transition to Hollywood seamless. Pace quickly became a familiar face in the late 1960s and 1970s, appearing in a staggering array of iconic television shows. From cult classics like Batman, Bewitched, and The Flying Nun to groundbreaking dramas like I Spy and The Mod Squad, her presence was always “welcoming, warm, sexy but innocent,” as one fan recently noted.

Making History as Television’s First Black Villainess

However, Pace was not content with playing it safe. She made history by stepping into the role of Vickie Fletcher on the primetime soap opera Peyton Place, becoming one of the first Black actresses to portray a villainess on American television. This bold move showcased her range and earned her critical respect. She would go on to win an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her starring role as Pat Walters in the ABC legal drama The Young Lawyers (1969–1971).

A Staple of 1970s Film and Television

Her film career was equally impactful. Pace graced the screen in some of the most memorable films of the era, including the classic Brian’s Song (1971), and became a staple of the Blaxploitation era with roles (including Cotton Comes to Harlem) that added depth and complexity to the genre. Whether she was appearing on Sanford and Son, That’s My Mama, or What’s Happening!!, Judy Pace Flood (as she was known in her personal life) brought a unique blend of strength, sensuality, and sophistication that was unmatched.

A Beauty, Period—And a Grand Actress

To call her a “Black beauty” almost seems too narrow. As one admirer beautifully put it, “Restricting her to just being a ‘black’ beauty is a slap in the face because she’s a beauty, period.” She was a vision of loveliness, yes, but she was also a grand actress who paved the way for generations of women of color.

Judy Pace’s legacy is not just in the films she left behind, but in the doors she kicked open. She was a pioneer who proved that a Black woman could be elegant, powerful, and versatile all at once.

Rest in Paradise, Ms. Pace. You will be deeply missed.

PACE, Judy (Judy Lenteen Pace)

Born: 6/15/1942, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 3/15/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Judy Pace’s western – actress:

Kung Fu (TV) – 1974 (Jenny)