'Full House' star John Aprea known for his breakout role in 'Godfather II' dies at 83

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Aprea, the seasoned actor known for his roles in iconic films like 'The Godfather Part II' and the beloved TV series 'Full House,' has died at the age of 83.

His death on August 5 in Los Angeles was due to natural causes, and he was surrounded by his family at the time, according to HuffPost.

Will Levine, Aprea’s manager, confirmed the sad news, marking the end of a long and impactful career in the entertainment industry.

John Aprea dies at 83 surrounded by family in Los Angeles

Born in 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents, Aprea's early life was deeply influenced by his heritage.

His family spent part of his childhood in Italy before returning to the United States.

Aprea’s passion for acting led him to New York City in the early 1960s, where he enrolled in acting classes under the guidance of Joshua Shelley, a respected teacher who also mentored the likes of Mia Farrow and Jon Voight.

Aprea's big break came in 1968 when he landed a role in the Steve McQueen classic film 'Bullitt,' playing the character Killer. This marked the beginning of a career that would span over five decades, featuring a wide range of roles across both film and television.

His early work included appearances in the 1970s TV series 'Mannix,' the film 'The Grasshopper,' and Jonathan Demme’s 1974 feature 'Caged Heat.'

However, it was his portrayal of the young Tessio in Francis Ford Coppola’s 'The Godfather Part II' that solidified Aprea’s place in Hollywood.

The role was pivotal in his career, and he sought advice from Abe Vigoda, who had played the older version of Tessio in the first film.

Vigoda’s casual advice, "I don’t know what I did. Just have a good time, kid," left a lasting impression on Aprea and became a guiding principle throughout his acting career.

After his success in 'The Godfather Part II,' Aprea continued to take on significant roles.

He starred in the 1975 comedy TV series 'The Montefuscos,' which depicted the lives of an Italian-American family in Connecticut, and played a major role in Taylor Hackford’s debut film, 'The Idolmaker,' as the brother of Ray Sharkey’s character.

His versatility as an actor was evident as he transitioned from film to television with ease, leaving a mark on every project he was part of.

Aprea’s death marks the end of an era for those who grew up watching his performances.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rosanna Sole, and leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Betsy Graci, his daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and his stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Graci.

The family plans to hold a private service to honor his life, allowing them to grieve and remember him away from the public eye.

John Aprea's death sparks tributes across social media

Following the news of Aprea's death, users took to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to the actor.

One user on X wrote, "#JohnAprea has passed. Such a good actor! Loved him on #AnotherWorld and on @TheBaytheSeries." Another user expressed, "RIP to John Aprea, a talented and ubiquitous character actor."

Another wrote, "It was such a great honor to have the privilege of working with an icon like John on The Bay. I have always been a fan of his work and he was a true gentleman and absolute pro who brought some beautiful moments to the role of Jack in these later seasons. We will all miss him dearly."

A user stated, "Another legendary talent taken too soon, we'll miss him!"

Another added, "I'm so sorry to hear of John Aprea's passing. This news was announced late Saturday night. I am just heartbroken to hear it, I just loved him so much."

Someone else remarked, "I know those are what the world knows him for me but for me he will always be Lucas on #AnotherWorld. Lucas and Felicia's love story was one of my favorites. Rip John Aprea."

Lastly, a user said, "Poor Tessio... In the end, Hagen couldn't get him off the hook! RIP to the young Tessio, John Aprea."

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