John Aprea, the acclaimed actor best known for his iconic role as young Tessio in The Godfather Part II and as John Stamos’ father in Full House, has passed away at the age of 83. His manager, Will Levine, confirmed that Aprea died of natural causes in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Born in 1941 to Italian immigrants in Englewood, New Jersey, Aprea’s journey into acting began in the early 1960s when he moved to New York City. He later relocated to Los Angeles, where he secured his first major role in the 1967 Steve McQueen classic, Bullitt. However, his big break came with his portrayal of Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in The Godfather Part II, a role that became one of the most celebrated moments of his career.
Interestingly, Aprea originally auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, a part that ultimately went to Al Pacino. To prepare for his role as Tessio, Aprea sought advice from Abe Vigoda, who played the older version of the character. Vigoda’s simple but impactful advice to “just have a good time, kid” became a mantra for Aprea throughout his career.
Aprea’s career extended beyond The Godfather franchise, with notable appearances in The Montefuscos, The Idolmaker, and Matt Houston. He also made guest appearances on popular TV series like Mannix, The Rookies, NYPD Blue, and starred in films such as The Stepford Wives, American Anthem, and The Game.
From 1988 to 1991, Aprea charmed audiences as Jesse Katsopolis’ father in the hit ABC sitcom Full House, a role he reprised in the 2017 Netflix reboot Fuller House.
John Aprea is survived by his third wife, Betsy Garci, his daughter Nicole from his previous marriage to actress Cherie Latimer, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Garci. His legacy will live on through his unforgettable contributions to both film and television, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood history.
