John Aprea, the esteemed actor renowned for his poignant portrayals in cinematic classics such as The Godfather Part II and the beloved sitcom Full House, has tragically passed away at the age of 83. His manager, Will Levine, confirmed that Aprea's demise, a peaceful one stemming from natural causes, occurred on Monday, August 5th, amidst the comforting embrace of his family in the confines of his Los Angeles abode.
Born on March 4th, 1941, in the bustling town of Englewood, New Jersey, Aprea's journey in the world of cinema commenced with a bang in 1968's Bullitt, where he shared the silver screen with the legendary Steve McQueen. However, it was his unforgettable turn as the youthful Tessio in The Godfather Part II (1974) that etched his name forever in the annals of Hollywood, following a failed yet ambitious bid to embody Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's seminal 1972 masterpiece.
Reflecting on his storied career, Aprea had once expressed that collaborating with Coppola and the formidable talents of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro on The Godfather franchise marked the pinnacle of his professional life. He fondly recalled, "I was enveloped by the cream of the crop within the realm of The Godfather, an experience that stands as the crowning achievement of my artistic endeavors."
He graced the silver screen in iconic films like 'The Stepford Wives' (1975), 'New Jack City' (1991), the thrilling 'The Game' (1997), the comical 'Dead Man on Campus' (1998), and the intricate remake of 'The Manchurian Candidate' (2004), leaving an indelible mark on each role.
Aprea's enduring presence extended to television, where he played a pivotal recurring character, Nick Katsopolis, Jesse's (portrayed by John Stamos) father, in both 'Full House' and its sequel, 'Fuller House.' His television resumé is a testament to his versatility, spanning shows like 'The Gangster Chronicles,' 'Matt Houston,' and the iconic 'Knots Landing,' along with guest appearances on 'Wonder Woman,' 'Three's a Crowd,' 'The A-Team,' 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents,' 'The Fall Guy,' 'Falcon Crest,' the chilling 'Tales from the Dark Side,' the witty 'Night Court,' the glamorous 'Melrose Place,' the nostalgic 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class,' and the groundbreaking 'The Sopranos.'
On Saturday, Paul Carafotes, Aprea's cherished co-star from 'Knots Landing,' paid a heartfelt tribute to the late actor. "We shared countless laughs, forging a bond that transcended the set of CBS's 'Knots Landing' over 40 years ago, in 1987," he penned, poignantly adding, "Many hearts will ache at his absence. Rest in peace, dear friend. Until we meet again, on the other side."
