The world of Hollywood dims slightly with the loss of the magnetic actor, John Aprea, known for such iconic roles as the young Salvatore Tessio in the classic ‘The Godfather Part II’ and as the father of John Stamos’ character in the beloved sitcom ‘Full House’. Aprea passed away at the age of 83 on August 5th due to natural causes in the city synonymous with the silver screen, Los Angeles, as confirmed by his agent, Will Levine.
Aprea, a proud New Jersey native, made a name for himself by working with the renowned director, Jonathan Demme, showcasing his acting prowess in ‘Caged Heat’ (1974), ‘Crazy Mama’ (1975), and ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (2004). In addition, he made a vivid impression as the sibling of Ray Sharkey’s rising-star music promoter in ‘The Idolmaker’, a compelling drama directed by Taylor Hackford released in 1980.
His versatility as an actor was further highlighted by his performance as a mobster in ‘New Jack City’, directed by Mario Van Peebles in 1991. Not only did Aprea excel on the big screen, but he also left a mark on television with two riveting roles in the NBC soap opera ‘Another World’. Between 1989 and 1998, he portrayed both the criminal, Lucas Castigliano, and the affluent shipping tycoon, Alexander Nikos. Interestingly, both of his characters met a similar fate—death by gunshot, caused by women.
Aprea also graced the screens as the head of an Italian American family in the NBC comedy ‘The Montefuscos’. Although the sitcom created by Bill Persky and Sam Denoff only lasted for nine episodes in 1975, Aprea’s performance was undeniably memorable.
During his early years in Los Angeles working as a bartender, starstruck luck struck when he met none other than Francis Ford Coppola. This led to an audition for the role of Michael Corleone in the legendary film ‘The Godfather’ (1972). Al Pacino ultimately landed the part, but Aprea went on to play Tessio in the sequel, a role that was made famous by Abe Vigoda in the first installment.
When Aprea sought advice from Abe Vigoda on how to approach the portrayal of Tessio, Vigoda humorously replied, ‘I don’t know what I did. Just have a good time, kid.’ This role turned out to be a career-defining moment for Aprea, one that he often cited as a significant highlight of his many years in the industry.
In 1988, he joined another classic TV program, ‘Full House’, where he played the recurring character of the pest control professional and father to Stamos’ Jesse Katsopolis. He later revived this beloved character for the 2017 Netflix reboot.
John Aprea, son of Italian immigrants, was born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, New Jersey. After spending some formative years in Italy, Aprea and his family returned to settle in New Jersey where he eventually graduated in 1959 from Dwight Morrow High School, also contributing on the football field.
Pursuing the calling of acting, Aprea relocated to New York City in the early 1960s. His aspiration then took him further west, bringing him to Los Angeles. He made an early impact with his performance as a hitman in the Steve McQueen classic ‘Bullitt’ (1967). His filmic journey continued with roles in notable films like ‘The Grasshopper’ (1970) and Curtis Hanson’s ‘Sweet Kill’ (1972).
Aprea shone again in the spotlight with his riveting portrayal of mob boss Albert Anastasia on the 1981 NBC miniseries ‘The Gangster Chronicles’. On ABC’s action series ‘Matt Houston’, he played Lt. Vince Novelli for two seasons from 1982 to 1984, demonstrating his versatility and range once again.
His impressive acting trajectory included highly engaging story arcs on CBS primetime soaps—playing Sheriff Jack North on ‘Falcon Crest’ in 1987 and the antagonistic Manny Vasquez on ‘Knots Landing’ in 1988. Aprea’s rich repertoire extended to guest appearances on popular shows like ‘Mannix’, ‘The Rookies’, ‘The F.B.I.’, ‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Silk Stalkings’, ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Cold Case’, ‘NYPD Blue’, and ‘CSI’.
On the big screen, he was seen in ‘The Stepford Wives’ (1975), ‘American Anthem’ (1986), and ‘The Game’ (1997), further cementing his vast and diverse cinematic presence. His craft endeared him to both fans and colleagues across multiple generations.
His survivors include his third wife, Betsy, to whom he was married for 25 years, his daughter, Nicole, from his previous marriage to actress Ninon Aprea, and stepchildren Marika and Valentino. Aprea leaves a meaningful legacy and an unforgettable mark on the world stage of acting. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rosanna. Aprea’s life and work remain testaments to his consummate skill as an actor and his unique ability to create a lasting impression on audiences the world over.