Aug
John Aprea, Known for The Godfather Part II and Full House, Passes Away at 83
John Aprea, the talented character actor renowned for his roles in The Godfather Part II and Full House, has passed away at the age of 83. Aprea’s manager, Will Levine, confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the actor died of natural causes on August 5, surrounded by his loved ones.
Levine paid tribute to Aprea on Facebook, expressing his sorrow at the loss of his longtime client and friend. “Sad to report the passing of longtime client and friend, John Aprea… Wonderfully talented journeyman actor loved by all,” he wrote.
Aprea leaves behind his wife Betsy Garci, his daughter Nicole from his previous marriage to actress Cherie Latimer, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Garci.
Born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents, Aprea briefly attended a Pennsylvania university before leaving college to pursue his passion for acting. Before making his film debut, he worked various jobs, including as a doorman, truck driver, and bartender. His first role was as Killer in the 1968 action film Bullitt, alongside Steve McQueen.
Aprea continued to build his career with roles in films such as The Grasshopper and The Dark Side of Tomorrow, and he made guest appearances in television series like That Girl and The F.B.I.. During this early stage of his career, Aprea auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather but ultimately landed the role of a younger Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II. The film, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola.
In a 2020 interview with The Digital Journal, Aprea reflected on the significance of his role in The Godfather Part II. “The Godfather: Part II just stays with you,” he said. “It’s a part of who you are. It is one of the best films ever made.” He added, “Each time it comes on television, I tell myself ‘I’m not going to see it again’ but before I know it, I’ve watched every minute of it.”
In 1975, Aprea starred as the head of an Italian American family in the NBC sitcom The Montefuscos. Although the show was short-lived, lasting only nine episodes, Aprea continued to find success on television. He appeared in numerous series throughout his career, including two stints on the NBC soap opera Another World, where he portrayed criminal Lucas Castigliano and later shipping magnate Alexander Nikos.
Aprea also had a recurring role as Nick Katsopolis, the father of John Stamos’ character in Full House, a role he reprised for the 2017 Netflix reboot. His other television credits include appearances in Falcon Crest, The Sopranos, Days of Our Lives, American Heiress, and the acclaimed NBC miniseries The Gangster Chronicles.
On the big screen, Aprea’s career continued to flourish with roles in films such as Caged Heat, The Manchurian Candidate, The Stepford Wives, and David Fincher’s The Game. Even late in his career, Aprea remained active in the industry, including a recent recurring role in the Peacock streaming drama The Bay.
John Aprea’s legacy as a versatile and respected actor will be remembered by his fans and the entertainment industry for years to come.
John Aprea – Known for The Godfather Part II and Full House – Passes Away at 83
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