John Aprea, 'The Godfather Part II' and 'Full House' Actor, dies at 83

John Aprea, the versatile character actor whose career spanned decades and included memorable roles in iconic films and television series like "The Godfather Part II" and "Full House", has died. He was 83.

Aprea passed away on August 5th from natural causes in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his manager, Will Levine.

Born to Italian immigrants in New Jersey, Aprea's passion for acting led him to New York City and eventually Los Angeles. His early career included roles in films like the Steve McQueen classic "Bullitt" (1967) and collaborations with director Jonathan Demme in "Caged Heat" (1974) and "Crazy Mama" (1975).

Aprea's portrayal of the young Salvatore Tessio in "The Godfather Part II" (1974) remains one of his most recognized roles. He also gained popularity for his recurring role as the father of John Stamos' character on the beloved sitcom "Full House" and its Netflix reboot.

Throughout his career, Aprea showcased his versatility, taking on diverse roles in film and television. He appeared in notable productions like "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004), "New Jack City" (1991), and the acclaimed miniseries "The Gangster Chronicles" (1981). He also had prominent roles in soap operas like "Another World", "Falcon Crest", and "Knots Landing".

Aprea's extensive television credits included guest appearances on popular shows such as "Mannix", "The Rookies", "The F.B.I.", "Wonder Woman", "Silk Stalkings", "The Sopranos", "Cold Case", "NYPD Blue", and "CSI".

Aprea is survived by his wife Betsy, his daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and his stepchildren Marika and Valentino. He was predeceased by his sister, Rosanna.