Outro Isn’t the End: Mike Pace Stars in a Story That Hits Home

In this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, longtime Iowa broadcaster Mike Pace joins me to reflect on a rich, winding journey through radio, television, voiceover work, and now—independent film. Known to many for his work on the Iowa Lottery’s “Spin the Wheel” game show and years of broadcasting in Des Moines, Mike opens up about his latest role in Outro, a new Iowa-made independent film in which he stars as “Roger”—a character that feels strikingly familiar.

We start by going back to the mid-1980s, when Mike had just left a career selling blue jeans out of his car and was slowly rebuilding a creative life in Winterset. Through a mix of lottery gigs, local TV hosting, and hustling voiceover work at $6/hour, he worked his way back into the storytelling world he loved. “I wasn’t Mozart,” Mike says. “But I knew selling pants wasn’t where I belonged.”

The conversation pivots to Outro, which has earned Mike a Best Actor nomination at the Iowa Film Awards. The film, co-written with director Wes Worthing, was inspired by themes from Mike’s own book Dreams and Detours, and follows Roger, a former musician-turned-radio-host struggling with the long shadow of unrealized dreams. “It’s not autobiographical,” Mike insists, “but I do relate to him deeply.” Roger’s battle with retirement, regret, and identity mirrors universal questions many face later in life—especially those who took creative detours.

Mike discusses the unique acting challenges he faced moving from commercials to true cinematic performance. “In film, if you’re self-aware, it won’t be real,” he says, quoting Martin Sheen. Letting go of vanity and embracing vulnerability was key to authentically portraying Roger’s emotional arc.

He also speaks with pride about the collaborative spirit behind the film. The crew, including local talents like Davida Williams, Stephanie Schneider, and Dave Stuck of Radio Garage, brought a no-ego, all-heart approach to the project. “Everyone was in it for the right reasons,” Mike says. “We just wanted to tell a good story.”

We also talk about the Dubuque International Film Festival—where Outro will premiere April 23–27—followed by a Des Moines screening in late May. With additional festival entries in places like Nashville, London, and Cedar Falls, Mike is enjoying a late-career creative renaissance. “We’re not doing this to get rich,” he says. “We’re doing it because we love it.”

Our chat touches on the evolving world of acting, ageism in media, and the push-and-pull of technology, especially the rise of AI in storytelling. Mike is candid but hopeful: “There’s room for AI, but it can’t replicate human inflection or interpretation. At the end of the day, it’s about authenticity.”

Whether you remember Mike from TV, radio, or real estate ads, this conversation reveals a deeper side of a man who never stopped chasing stories—or helping others tell theirs. His journey, and Outro, are both about the power of reflection, reinvention, and finding meaning at any stage of life.