Michael Jace used to be a popular actor until he wasn’t.
He was born on July 13, 1962, in Paterson, New Jersey, USA, and is known for “The Replacements” (2000), “The Fan” (1996), and “State of Play” (2009). He was on the path to success as an actor, but life had other plans. Jace has been married twice, first to Jennifer Turner Bitterman and then to April Denise Laune.
Jace and Bitterman had a smooth divorce. However, when his second marriage started having issues, he did not want a divorce.
He took matters into his hand, and in the end, it was not a divorce that ended his second marriage but death. Indeed, Michael Jace murdered his second wife and has since been serving time in prison.
What Happened to Michael Jace?
Michael Jace was 53 when he was found guilty of shooting his wife in 2016. The shooting happened at their Los Angeles home in the presence of their two young sons.
According to reports, Jace had been upset that his second wife, April, wanted a divorce. He was also fixated on the belief that April was seeing someone else. Authorities revealed that Jace shot his now-late wife once in the back after she returned home on May 19, 2014. Not satisfied, he reshot her twice in her legs with their sons, aged 8 and 5 at the time, still there.
After committing the crime, a calm Jace called 911 and reported the shooting to the police. He also sent a message to his father-in-law that made the man call 911.
In a recording released by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the man said, “My son-in-law called me and texted me and said come get the kids because he shot April, our daughter.”
Michael Jace’s History of Domestic Violence and Financial Problems
According to those who knew Michael Jace, he was no stranger to domestic violence. He married April in June 2003; however, he suffered financial difficulties.
By March 2011, he declared Chapter 13 bankruptcy, citing $500,000 in debts and an annual income of around $80,000 from his TV and film work residuals.
Jace also defaulted on the $411,000 mortgage of his home with his second wife and their kids. While she lived, April Jace worked as a financial aid counselor at Biola University, a private school in La Mirada, California.
Those she worked with knew her as a radiant person who energized everyone around her. The financial aid director Geoff Marsh said after her murder in 2014: “Her love for helping students and families and her great work ethic earned respect and love of her coworkers. All will miss her smiling face and generous spirit.”
Michael Jace TV Roles
Jace often played the good guy in movies and TV. He bagged his longest-running iconic role in the FX police drama “The Shield.” He played Julien Lowe in 89 episodes.
Jace’s career kicked off as a rookie officer in an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct in 2002. Then he rose through the ranks to become a detective before the series was concluded in 2008.
While active, Jace often gravitated toward law enforcement or military officer roles on TV shows. He was also a cast member of “Southland” for several episodes. The show, also about Los Angeles police, lasted from 2009 to 2012.
One time he did not play a law enforcement role was when he landed the title role of Michael Jordan in the 1999 TV movie about the now-late NBA great, “Michael Jordan: An American Hero.”
How Long Will Michael Jace Be in Prison?
After a dramatic but short trial, a judge sentenced Michael Jace to prison with the maximum sentence — 40 years to life.
A jury convicted the actor of 2nd-degree murder after he killed his wife while they quarreled about going their separate ways. During the trial, he reportedly revealed that he shot April in the legs because he wanted her to feel pain. Their sons, who were in the house then, witnessed it all happen.
At the time of his sentencing, Jace was about to clock 54. Getting a 40-year sentence means he will likely remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
Jace is not the first star to be sentenced to jail. Others like Tim Allen, Robert Downey Jr., and even Lindsay Lohan have been imprisoned. Fortunately, they all did not get slammed with sentences as long as Jace’s since their crimes were not as dangerous.