John Aprea

Aprea was born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, New Jersey,^[1] where he was also raised. He graduated in 1959 from Dwight Morrow High School.^[2][3] His parents were Italian immigrants who were both from the region of Campania. His father was born in Sorrento and his mother was born in Castellammare di Stabia. While he was growing up, Aprea's family would have Sunday dinners with aunts and uncles who lived in Brooklyn and New Jersey. The family spoke the Neapolitan language.^[4]

In high school, Aprea played football as an All Bergen County tackle and linebacker.^[5] He worked in a produce store owned by his parents, California Market, located in Englewood.^[2] After graduation, he enrolled as a business major at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Aprea decided to leave school when the dean wouldn't let him change his major to political science. He took jobs at gas stations and also worked as a truck driver.^[5]

Aprea always wanted to act, even though he described himself as a shy person. When he was twenty-three, he attended his first audition, after reading an ad in a local newspaper. He met with a man who said that he could have a part in a movie if he paid him a few thousand dollars. Aprea turned down the offer.^[4]

He told his sister about his dream to become an actor and she introduced him to television writer Saul Turteltaub. He helped Aprea enroll in acting classes taught by Joshua Shelley, who had worked with Jon Voight, Mia Farrow, and Michael J. Pollard. While attending school, he took night jobs, including working as a doorman at Schrafft's. He was a bartender at the Pub Room at Arthur, a nightclub that was owned by Sybil Christopher and frequented by many celebrities. Aprea eventually decided to leave New York to try other opportunities in Los Angeles.^[5]

He made his film debut as 'Dr. Kinner' in Bullitt (1968), co-starring with Steve McQueen.^[6] In 1970, he appeared in the films The Grasshopper and The Dark Side of Tomorrow.^[7][8] Aprea played Richard in the film Sweet Kill (1972), directed by Curtis Hanson.^[9] He guest starred on The F.B.I. in 1973.^[10] He also appeared in the film Caged Heat (1974), directed by Jonathan Demme.^[11]

While tending bar at Robert's in Los Angeles, Aprea met Francis Ford Coppola and landed an audition for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather. The part went to Al Pacino. Coppola eventually cast Aprea as young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II (1974).^[5][4] The part of the older Tessio was played by Abe Vigoda. All of Aprea's lines in the film were spoken in Italian. He called working on the movie "the high point" of his career.^[12]

In 1975, he appeared as a cop in the film The Stepford Wives.^[13] He also played Marvin in the film Crazy Mama, directed again by Jonathan Demme.^[14] Aprea had a regular role as Joseph Montefusco on the short-lived NBC comedy series The Montefuscos. He guest starred on The Rookies and Kate McShane.^[1]

Aprea played Mack in the television film The Rock Rainbow (1978).^[1] He also appeared in the television film A Guide for the Married Woman, co-starring with Cybill Shepherd.^[15] In 1979, Aprea guest starred on Wonder Woman, Mrs. Columbo, and A Man Called Sloane.^[10][1] He played Mario Vaccari in the film The Idolmaker (1980), directed by Taylor Hackford.^[16]

He appeared in the television film Crazy Times (1981), co-starring with Ray Liotta.^[17] Aprea was cast in a regular role as Albert Anastasia in the NBC miniseries The Gangster Chronicles.^[12] In 1982, he played a lawyer in the film Comeback. He guest starred on The Powers of Matthew Star.^[1] Aprea was cast as Lt. Vince Novelli on the ABC action series Matt Houston, playing the role from 1982 until 1984.^[18] In 1983, he played Ron in the film The Act.^[19]

In 1984, Aprea guest starred on Three's a Crowd and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.^[1][10] He appeared in the television film Getting Physical.^[20] In 1985, he guest starred on Hardcastle and McCormick, Simon & Simon, Street Hawk, and The A-Team.^[10][1] He played Peter Shefland in the television pilot for the series Stingray.^[21]

Aprea played Mr. Tevere in the film American Anthem (1986).^[22] He guest starred on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Fall Guy.^[10] In 1987, Aprea played Frank in the television film Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife, co-starring with Melissa Gilbert.^[23] He had a recurring role as Sheriff Jack North on the CBS series Falcon Crest.^[5][24]

Aprea played Salazar in the action film Picasso Trigger (1988).^[12][25] He guest starred on Tales from the Darkside.^[1] He had a recurring role as Manny Vasquez on the CBS series Knots Landing.^[24][26] Aprea received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Villain - Prime Time for his work on Knots Landing.^[5]

From 1988 to 1989, he played the recurring role of Nick Katsopolis, the father of Jesse (John Stamos), on the ABC sitcom Full House. He also appeared on the show in 1991.^[10][27] Aprea played Captain Andreas in the action film Savage Beach (1989).^[28] He guest starred on Father Dowling Mysteries and Night Court.^[10] In 1989, Aprea was cast on the NBC soap opera Another World, playing Lucas Castigliano. The character of Lucas was paired with Felicia Gallant (Linda Dano).^[29][24] He had previously worked with Dano when they played siblings on The Montefuscos.^[5]

Aprea played Don Armeteo in the film New Jack City (1991), directed by Mario Van Peebles.^[30] In 1992, he left Another World when his contract came to an end. The character of Lucas was killed off.^[31][32] In 1993, Aprea guest starred on The Hat Squad, Dark Justice, Melrose Place, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and Silk Stalkings.^[10][1][24]

He played Senator Dilly in the science fiction film CyberTracker (1994).^[33] He also appeared in the action film Direct Hit.^[34] From 1994 to 1995, Aprea guest starred on Heaven Help Us, Renegade, and Silk Stalkings.^[1][10] He played Philly Bambino in the action film To the Limit (1995), co-starring with Anna Nicole Smith.^[35] Aprea played Dominic in the film Sunset Park (1996).^[36]

He appeared in the film The Game (1997), directed by David Fincher.^[37] He also appeared in the films My Brother Jack, Deadly Ransom, and Dead Man on Campus.^[1] Aprea returned to Another World, playing a new character, Alexander Nikos, from 1997 to 1998.^[31] From 1998 to 2000, he guest starred on Vengeance Unlimited, Pacific Blue, The Sopranos, and The District.^[10][1]

Aprea played Mafia Boss Geppetti in the film Brother (2000).^[38] From 2001 to 2002, he had a recurring role on Philly.^[10] He appeared in the film The Streetsweeper (2002).^[39] In 2004, Aprea played Rear Admiral Glick in the film The Manchurian Candidate, co-starring with Denzel Washington and directed by Jonathan Demme.^[40] He guest starred on NYPD Blue in 2005.^[10] He played Mark McPhillips in the television film Mystery Woman: At First Sight (2006).^[41]

From 2009 to 2010, Aprea guest starred on Cold Case and Lie to Me.^[10] He played Sollie in the film Dirty People (2012).^[42] He guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2013.^[43] He also played Jerry Masselin in the film After You.^[44] Aprea starred as Mike Esposito in the film Sharkskin (2015).^[45][46] He played Angelo in the film Stevie D (2016).^[47] In 2017, he guest starred as Nick Katsopolis on Fuller House, a revival of Full House.^[27] Aprea appeared in the film Lost Angelas (2019).^[48] From 2020 to 2023, he had a recurring role on The Bay.^[49][50]

In the late 1960s, Aprea married actress Cherie Latimer. They later divorced.^[1]

He married actress Ninon Aprea (then known as Ninon Zenovich) on December 31, 1987. Their daughter was born in 1989.^[5] They divorced in October 1998,^[1] and Aprea later married Betsey Graci.^[51][52]

Aprea died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on August 5, 2024, at the age of 83.^[51][52]

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Aprea.

• John Aprea at IMDb
• John Aprea at AllMovie