What Happened to Lee Pace?

Lee Grinner Pace, born March 25, 1979, has carved a distinguished career in the entertainment industry, marked by a diverse range of roles that showcase his acting prowess. His early career saw him gain critical attention for his portrayal of a transgender woman in the 2003 film 'Soldier's Girl,' earning him a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor and a Golden Globe nomination. This early success set a precedent for taking on complex characters.

A significant turning point in Pace's television career came with his lead role as Ned, the pie-maker with the ability to bring the dead back to life, in Bryan Fuller's whimsical series 'Pushing Daisies' (2007-2009). His performance garnered him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and another Golden Globe nomination, solidifying his reputation as a captivating television presence. Concurrently, Pace made notable appearances in films like Tarsem Singh's visually stunning 'The Fall' (2006) and 'A Single Man' (2009).

The 2010s saw Pace enter major franchises, significantly expanding his global recognition. He was cast as the Elvenking Thranduil in Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit' trilogy (2012-2014), a role that showcased his commanding presence in fantasy epics. Following this, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Ronan the Accuser in 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014), a role he reprised in 'Captain Marvel' (2019). From 2014 to 2017, Pace also starred as Joe MacMillan in the critically acclaimed AMC series 'Halt and Catch Fire,' a drama set during the rise of the personal computing industry, further demonstrating his versatility.

More recently, Pace has taken on the role of Brother Day, one of the genetic emperors, in Apple TV+'s ambitious science fiction series 'Foundation,' which premiered in 2021. His portrayal has been widely praised, contributing to the show's success and earning him a new wave of fan appreciation. As of April 2026, Pace is actively filming Season 4 of 'Foundation' in Prague, teasing that the upcoming season will bring a "new dimension" and that "the story gets bigger." In October 2025, it was announced that Pace would voice the character of Grand Regent Thragg in Season 4 of the animated series 'Invincible,' which premiered in March 2026. He is also set to appear in the highly anticipated sequel 'Practical Magic 2,' scheduled for release on September 11, 2026, and was cast in 'The Running Man' (2025).

In his personal life, Pace confirmed his marriage to Matthew Foley, an executive at Thom Browne, in August 2022, after years of keeping their relationship private. He has openly discussed his identity as a queer actor, having dated both men and women. Pace balances his demanding acting career with hobbies like hiking and woodworking, maintaining a commitment to open-minded dialogues on identity.