Godfather II legend John Aprea passes away at 83
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The entertainment world has lost another star with the passing of John Aprea at the age of 83.
Known for his memorable role as young Salvatore Tessio in the iconic film The Godfather Part II, Aprea's death marks the end of a career that spanned decades and touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.
John Aprea passed away from natural causes at his Los Angeles home on 5 August, surrounded by his loving family, as confirmed by his manager, Will Levine.
His journey from a New Jersey-born dreamer to a respected actor in Hollywood is a testament to his talent and determination.
Aprea's early life saw him move from playing football at school to living in Italy with his family before setting his sights on the bright lights of New York in the 1960s to pursue his acting dreams.
His career took him to Los Angeles, where he landed roles that showcased his versatility, from a hitman in the Steve McQueen movie Bullitt to a mob boss in the 1981 NBC miniseries The Gangster Chronicles.
His portrayal of the patriarch of a multi-generational Italian American family on NBC's The Montefuscos in the 1970s and his performance in the TV show Knots Landing in 1988 further cemented his place in the annals of television history.
Aprea's connection to The Godfather franchise began when he auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone after meeting director Francis Ford Coppola while bartending in L.A.
Although Al Pacino ultimately won the role, Aprea's talent did not go unnoticed, and he was cast in the sequel, delivering all his lines as young Tessio in Italian.
In 1988, Aprea played Nick Katsopolis, John Stamos' father, in the beloved American sitcom Full House, a character he reprised in 2017 for Fuller House.
Aprea's personal life saw him married twice: first to actress Cherie Latimer, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage, and then to Ninon Zenovich in 1987, with whom he had a daughter in 1989.
His commitment to his craft never waned, as evidenced by his recurring role as Jack Madison in the crime-drama series The Bay until last year.
The show's creator and showrunner, Gregori J Martin, expressed his admiration and respect for Aprea, stating, 'It was such a great honour 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.’
Tributes have poured in from co-stars and fans alike. Paul Carafotes, Aprea's co-star from Knots Landing, remembered him fondly.
‘I just heard that my old pal, friend passed away. We had lots of laughs,’ he said.
‘We met on the set of the CBS television show Knots Landing, 1987. Many will miss this man! Rest, old friend. I'll see you on the other side.'
Fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow and share their favourite memories of Aprea's performances.
One fan wrote, '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.'
Here’s one of Aprea’s iconic scenes in The Godfather Part II below:
Credit: Bib48_MovieClips / Youtube
As we reflect on John Aprea's legacy, we are reminded of the indelible mark he left on the film and television industry. His roles, especially as young Tessio, will continue to resonate with audiences for generations.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
Known for his memorable role as young Salvatore Tessio in the iconic film The Godfather Part II, Aprea's death marks the end of a career that spanned decades and touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.
John Aprea passed away from natural causes at his Los Angeles home on 5 August, surrounded by his loving family, as confirmed by his manager, Will Levine.
His journey from a New Jersey-born dreamer to a respected actor in Hollywood is a testament to his talent and determination.
John Aprea, known for his memorable role in The Godfather Part II, passed away at 83. Credit: IMDb
Aprea's early life saw him move from playing football at school to living in Italy with his family before setting his sights on the bright lights of New York in the 1960s to pursue his acting dreams.
His career took him to Los Angeles, where he landed roles that showcased his versatility, from a hitman in the Steve McQueen movie Bullitt to a mob boss in the 1981 NBC miniseries The Gangster Chronicles.
His portrayal of the patriarch of a multi-generational Italian American family on NBC's The Montefuscos in the 1970s and his performance in the TV show Knots Landing in 1988 further cemented his place in the annals of television history.
Aprea's connection to The Godfather franchise began when he auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone after meeting director Francis Ford Coppola while bartending in L.A.
Although Al Pacino ultimately won the role, Aprea's talent did not go unnoticed, and he was cast in the sequel, delivering all his lines as young Tessio in Italian.
In 1988, Aprea played Nick Katsopolis, John Stamos' father, in the beloved American sitcom Full House, a character he reprised in 2017 for Fuller House.
Aprea's personal life saw him married twice: first to actress Cherie Latimer, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage, and then to Ninon Zenovich in 1987, with whom he had a daughter in 1989.
His commitment to his craft never waned, as evidenced by his recurring role as Jack Madison in the crime-drama series The Bay until last year.
The show's creator and showrunner, Gregori J Martin, expressed his admiration and respect for Aprea, stating, 'It was such a great honour 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.’
Tributes have poured in from co-stars and fans alike. Paul Carafotes, Aprea's co-star from Knots Landing, remembered him fondly.
‘I just heard that my old pal, friend passed away. We had lots of laughs,’ he said.
‘We met on the set of the CBS television show Knots Landing, 1987. Many will miss this man! Rest, old friend. I'll see you on the other side.'
Fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow and share their favourite memories of Aprea's performances.
One fan wrote, '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.'
Here’s one of Aprea’s iconic scenes in The Godfather Part II below:
Credit: Bib48_MovieClips / Youtube
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
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are with his family.
