Judy Pace, Star of 'Brian's Song' and Blaxploitation Icon, Dies at 83
Judy Pace, an actress known for her roles in 1970s Blaxploitation films, has died peacefully at the age of 83. Her death was announced by her daughters Shawn and Julia Pace Mitchell.
Career Highlights
Pace gained fame for her role as Vickie Fletcher on "Peyton Place" and Linda Sayers in the acclaimed TV movie “Brian’s Song.” The movie, which was about Chicago Bears player Brian Piccolo's battle with cancer and his friendship with Gale Sayers, won multiple Emmys and a Grammy.
Notable Roles and Achievements
Her extensive filmography includes appearances in "13 Frightened Girls," "Batman," "Bewitched," and many others. She made history as the first Black contestant on “The Dating Game” in 1965 and won an NAACP Image Award in 1970 for her role in "The Young Lawyers."
Personal Life
Before acting, Pace worked as a model. She was married to actor Don Mitchell, with whom she had two daughters, before their divorce in 1984. She later married baseball player Curt Flood until his death in 1997.
