If you came up in the ’70s era of TV and film, you probably remember actress, Judy Pace. For our young Old Schoolers, Judy was the TRUTH! She appeared in several memorable TV shows and films back in the day, including “Good Times,” Sanford and Son,” “What’s Happening,” “Shaft,” “That’s My Mama,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “I Spy,” and many more. In 1970 she was dubbed ‘the most beautiful African American woman in Hollywood.’ Fast forward to today and fans are straight up stunned by who her talented daughter is.
Recent photo of actress icon, Judy Pace
Meet Judy Pace’s Actress Daughter
Actress, Judy Pace (R) with daughter/actress, Julia Pace (L)
Judy Pace’s 44-year-old daughter, Julia, starred on “The Young and The Restless” as a business exec, named ‘Sofa Dupre,’ for years. She also portrayed rapper, Notorious B.I.G.’s, baby’s mother, ‘Jan,’ in the biopic, “Notorious,” a while back, alongside Angela Bassett and Jamal Woolard (who portrayed B.I.G.).
Jamal Woodard, Julia Pace, and Angela Bassett in scene from “Notorious” biopic
Julia is also known for her roles in “Law and Order” and in the movie, “Bill.” Julia’s current role is on the Tyler Perry series, “All The Queen’s Men, which airs on BET+.
Julia took to Instagram to pay homage to her mom, Judy Pace, for her 79th birthday, captioning a recent glammed up pic of her moms with, “…oh and Happy Birthday 🎈Mommy @judypaceflood Thank you for the good genes. #judypace #blackdontcrack #livinglegend #80 #mlbpa #glamma.”
Actor, Don Mitchell, ex-husband of Judy Pace and biological father of Julia Pace
Acting just runs through Julia’s blood, because her Pops was also an actor. Her mother’s late ex-husband, Don Mitchell, was best known for his 1960s/70’s roles in television shows, such as “McMillan & Wife,” the CBS daytime soap opera, “Capitol” and in the sitcom, “Bewitched.” He also co-starred in the 1973 Black horror film, “Scream Blacula Scream.”
Julia Pace, daughter of Judy Pace
Sadly, Don Mitchell passed away in 2013, but he’s survived by not only his ex-wife, Judy and daughter, Julia… but also by his and Judy’s other daughter, Shawn. Check her out below…
Meet Judy Pace’s OTHER Daughter
Judy’s and Don’s daughter, Shawn Pace Mitchell, is a very successful attorney and she pretty much stays out of the limelight, unlike her sister and mother. Below is a photo of the three beautiful women:
Actress Judy Pace Mitchell (C) with her daughters, actress, Julia Pace Mitchell; and attorney Shawn Pace Mitchell.
One of the other rare times Shawn was seen publicly with her family, was when she was Julia’s maid of honor, during Julia’s wedding to businessman, Steven Hightower, II.
Julia Pace Explains Why Her Stepdad’s Responsible For LeBron & Others Gettin’ So Much $$
Judy Pace was married twice – first to Shawn’s and Julia’s father, Don Mitchell, and second to baseball legend, Curt Flood. It is stepdad, Curt, whom Julia and Shawn started a non-profit organization, The Curt Flood Youth Foundation, in memory of. Peep Julia’s explanation of this below:
In case y’all aren’t familiar with the greatness of baseball legend, Curt Flood, let us fill you in on the unselfish, groundbreaking strides he made for athletes who came after him.
Flood is responsible for what we now know as ‘free agency,’ which allows athletes the freedom to utilize their right to choose which teams they’d like to join as a ‘free agent.’ In 1969, when the MLB team Flood was signed to for 12 years wanted to trade him to a team that reportedly had a history of racist fans and unfair treatment of Black players, Flood stood up against the MLB league’s decades old ‘reserve clause,’ which denied them the right to choose:
In a letter to Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Flood demanded that the commissioner declare him a free agent:
December 24, 1969- After twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States.
It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decision. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.
Flood was influenced by the events of the 1960s that took place in the United States. According to Marvin Miller, Flood told the executive board of the players’ union, “I think the change in black consciousness in recent years has made me more sensitive to injustice in every area of my life.” However, he added that what he was doing in challenging the reserve clause was primarily as a major league ballplayer. via Wikipedia
Today, both Curt Flood and Don Mitchell would be extremely proud of their daughters (and stepdaughters), just as their ex-wife, Judy Pace is.
