Actor Dominic Pace Returns to Television and Film
illi News/10340767

LOS ANGELES - illiNews -- Over the past six years, the entertainment industry has faced setbacks, including COVID-19, the writers' and actors' strikes, runaway productions, shrinking salaries, streaming changes and artificial intelligence.

In February 2020, Pace was entering one of the strongest periods of his career. He had recently completed guest-starring roles for Nickelodeon, Fox and CBS. He also gained international attention for portraying the bounty hunter Gekko in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.

With approval from Disney and Lucasfilm, Pace promoted the character during a tour that reached more than 35 states and England. When the pandemic brought acting opportunities to a standstill, Pace returned to his former survival profession of restaurant management to help pay his sons' tuition.

"There's a love-hate relationship with the restaurant because I've always loved people, but the pace of the lunch or dinner rush can be soul-sucking," Pace said. "Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential perfectly describes the frantic energy and stress of multitasking nonstop for 10 to 12 hours a day."

More on illi News

• Michael H. Kaplan Recognized for 17 Years on PHPA Workers' Compensation Panel and Advocacy for Professional Athletes
• International Society of Medical AI Convenes Global Faculty in Florence for ISMAI 2026
• Boston Industrial Solutions Introduces Personalized Printing Training
• OnDemand Launches Craft Coffee and Pantry as the Next Step in Its Growing Amenity Platform
• Century Fasteners de Mexico Exhibiting at the 2026 Automotive & Aerospace Nearshoring Summit

During the winter of 2023 and 2024, Pace experienced another painful setback when his mother, Denise Tagliaferri Pace, was dying of cancer. She encouraged his acting career and believed he had the presence for musical theater.

During the spring seasons of 2024 and 2025, Pace received leave from the restaurant to portray Gyp DeCarlo in a West Coast production of Jersey Boys. "Though my mother never got to see the musical, I felt like it was a sign from her to keep going and stay focused," Pace said.

In December 2025, Pace received another sign to continue when CBS invited him to guest-star on NCIS: Origins. The opportunity arrived as Pace prepared to leave restaurant management. After years of long workweeks, grief, and exhaustion, he decided it was time to return fully to acting.

Pace's youngest son, Benett Pace, is a straight-A student-athlete and starting first baseman at Notre Dame High School. Its nationally recognized baseball program has produced Major League Baseball players Giancarlo Stanton and Hunter Greene.

More on illi News

• Northeast Airlines aligns with European Investment Group
• Retell AI White Label Platform for Agencies Launched by VoiceAIWrapper, With Branded Client Portals and No Per-Minute Markup
• FOCUS Names Mark Phillips Senior Vice President of Business Development
• STLE's Interactive Lubrication Training Experience Returns to Southwest Research Institute
• Notaron Expands Online Notarization Access Following Wisconsin Approval

His older son, Dante Pace, is interning in Berlin with biotechnology startup Mimotype Technologies. He is helping design red fluorescent proteins while conducting research connected to Charité. Dante is entering his final year at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he is studying biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics.

With his sons moving forward in their education and careers, Pace is returning to film. His upcoming work includes projects connected to actor Noah Fearnley, executive producer Griff Furst and director Emily Qiu.

Pace now firmly believes this important new chapter gives him the chance to honor his mother, support his family and reconnect with the creative work he loves.

For Dominic Pace, returning to the spotlight represents perseverance, family sacrifice and the courage to begin again.