John Aprea, best known for playing the young Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in The Godfather Part II, passed away earlier this month at the age of 83.
Aprea died “of natural causes” in Los Angeles on Monday, August 5, surrounded by loved ones, her manager Will Levin confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“I am deeply saddened by Mr. Aprea’s passing,” Levin told Fox News Digital. “He was an incredibly talented actor, beloved by his friends and one of the most classy people I have ever known.”
Aprea was born in Englewood, New Jersey in 1941 to Italian immigrants and got his first break in the film industry in 1968 in the San Francisco cop drama Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen.
He then played the young Tessio in The Godfather: Part II. Upon being cast in the role, Aprea reportedly called Abe Vigoda, who played the older version of the character in Part I, to ask for more details about the role.
Vigoda told Aprea, “I don’t know what I’ve done. Just have fun, boy.”
Aprea appeared in soap operas as well as a number of crime dramas.
John Aprea dies at age 83. WireImage John Aprea played a young Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in The Godfather Part II. Getty Images
For many years, he starred as Alexander Nikos and Lucas Castigliano on the hit daytime show Another World.
In addition to his tough-guy roles, Aprea also played John Stamos’ father on the family comedy-drama “Full House.”
He reprised the role a few years later when the series was adapted into the Netflix reboot Fuller House.
Aprea is survived by his wife and partner of 25 years, Betsy Grassi, his daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Grassi.