Veteran actor John Aprea, whose numerous film and television appearances were highlighted by a role in “The Godfather Part II” and a recurring role as the father of John Stamos’ character on “Full House,” has died at the age of 83, his manager said Sunday.
Aprea died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on August 5, said his manager Will Levine.
Levine told City News Service on Sunday that he was “very saddened by the passing of Mr. Aprea. He was an incredibly talented actor and a wonderful friend.”
Born in New Jersey, Aprea made his film debut in 1968’s Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen. His best-known film role was that of the young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II, Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed 1972 sequel to The Godfather.
In the first film, the character was portrayed as an older man by Abe Vigoda. Aprea auditioned for the lead role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, but the role went to Al Pacino.
Her other notable film appearances include The Stepford Wives (1975), New Jack City (1991), The Game (1997), and Ambassador of Fear (2004).
Aprea appeared in numerous television series in the 1970s and 1980s, including That Girl, Mannix, Wonder Woman, Matt Houston, Simon & Simon, The A-Team, The Fall Guy, Falcon Crest and Under the California Sun.
His role as Nick Katsopolis, Jesse’s father, on ABC’s “Full House,” began in the late 1980s and continued in “Fuller House,” the Netflix sequel to the original sitcom that ran from 2016 to 2020.
His most recent appearance was in the 2021 film “Cold.”
“We laughed a lot,” wrote actor Paul Carafotes about his meeting with Aprea on the set of “Under the California Sun.”
“We met over 40 years ago on the set of the CBS television series Knots Landing (1987). This man will be missed by many! Rest in peace, old friend. See you on the other side.”
Aprea leaves behind his wife and partner of 25 years, Betsy Graci, his daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Graci. The funeral will be private, Levine said.
