John Aprea, an actor recognized for his role as John Stamos’ character’s father on “Full House” and as Sal Tessio in “The Godfather Part II,” has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by his manager.
Aprea died of natural causes on August 5 in Los Angeles, surrounded by family. His manager, Will Levine, shared the news in a statement to NBC News.
Among Aprea’s notable performances was his portrayal of the younger Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in the acclaimed 1974 sequel “The Godfather Part II.”
He also took on a gangster role in the 1991 film “New Jack City,” where he played mob boss Don Armeteo, who battles Nino Brown, portrayed by Wesley Snipes.
In addition, Aprea is remembered for his character Nick Katsopolis, the father of Uncle Jesse, played by Stamos, on the beloved sitcom “Full House,” which aired from 1988 to 1991. He later appeared in one episode of the Netflix revival “Fuller House” in 2017.
Born in 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents, Aprea’s career began to take off with his role as a killer in the 1968 action film “Bullitt,” followed by his appearance in “The Godfather II.” Abe Vigoda, who portrayed Tessio in the original film, encouraged Aprea to enjoy his role when he took on the character.
Aprea’s television credits include “The Montefuscos” in 1975, and he made guest appearances on popular shows like “NYPD Blue,” “The A-Team,” “Melrose Place,” “The Sopranos,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” His final acting role was in the British crime drama “The Bay,” which aired from 2020 to 2023.
He is survived by his wife Betsy Graci, with whom he spent 25 years, his daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Graci. Aprea was predeceased by his sister, Rosanna Sole.