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Pioneering Actress Judy Pace Dies at 83, Remembered for Trailblazing Legacy

3/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Judy Pace, a pioneering actress and model, died at 83, peacefully in her sleep in Marina del Rey, California.
Pace was born June 15, 1942, in Los Angeles.
Pace became the Ebony Fashion Fair's youngest model in 1961.
Pace made her film debut in 1963, becoming the first Black woman contracted by Columbia Pictures.
Pace co-founded the Kwanza Foundation in 1971 to support Black women in film.

History

Historical Context

The Ebony Fashion Fair, launched in 1958 by Eunice Johnson, showcased Black models and designers, significantly enhancing representation in fashion. Over its 51-year run, it raised over $55 million for African American charities. Judy Pace, the youngest model at the Fair, became the first Black woman contracted by Columbia Pictures in 1963, exemplifying the ongoing fight for visibility and equity in media.

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Story summary

Judy Pace, a pioneering actress and model, died at 83, peacefully in her sleep in Marina del Rey, California.
Pace was born June 15, 1942, in Los Angeles.
Pace became the Ebony Fashion Fair's youngest model in 1961.
Pace made her film debut in 1963, becoming the first Black woman contracted by Columbia Pictures.
Pace co-founded the Kwanza Foundation in 1971 to support Black women in film.

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