Actor John Aprea has died at his home in Los Angeles , California, aged 83. The star’s manager Will Levine confirmed to TMZ he died of natural causes on August 5, surrounded by his family. John was born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants.
In the early 1960s, he attempted to pursue stardom and signed up for acting classes in New York . In 1968, John nabbed his first feature-film role in the 1968 classic Bullitt. After starring alongside Steve McQueen in the action feature as ‘The Killer’, the actor appeared in 1970’s The Grasshopper and The Dark Side of Tomorrow.
It’s said that whilst tending a bar in Los Angeles, John met Francis Ford Coppola and auditioned for the role of protagonist Michael Corleone in The Godfather. He lost the role to Al Pacino however he was later cast as a Young Salvatore ‘Sal’ Tessio in the follow-up, The Godfather Part II. The Manchurian Candidate alumni later revealed he’d contacted Abe Vigoda—who plays the mobster in the original movie—for advice.
“I don’t know what I did,” he apparently responded. “Just have a good time, kid.” Following his starring role in the 1947 flick, John went on to appear as Mafia Boss Geppetti in 2000’s Brother, Nick Katsopolis in Full House and also as Arthur in Days of Our Lives.
Between 2020 and 2023, he appeared in nine episodes of the American crime-drama series, The Bay. Following the news of John’s death, the show’s creator Gregori J. Martin posted a heartfelt tribute to the star on social media.
“It was such a great honour to have the privilege of working with an icon like John on The Bay,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter . “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.
” He added that the cast and crew of the TV show were sending their “love and condolences to Mr. Aprea’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Tributes from John’s fans have also been pouring in across social media, with one user writing: "Another legendary talent taken too soon, we'll miss him!” A second typed: “Poor Tessio.
.. In the end, Hagen couldn't get him off the hook! RIP to the young Tessio, John Aprea.
” “I'm so sorry to hear of John Aprea's passing,” commented another. “This news was announced late Saturday night. I am just heartbroken to hear it, I just loved him so much.
” Someone else said: “I know those are what the world knows him for me but for me he will always be Lucas on #AnotherWorld. Lucas and Felicia's love story was one of my favourites. Rip John Aprea.
”.
