Soap Star John Aprea Dead at 83

Veteran character actor John Aprea died Aug. 5 at the age of 83 of natural causes. While perhaps best known for playing young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II and Jesse’s father, Nick Katsopolis on Full House, he also appeared in both daytime and primetime soaps. “I was so fortunate to have worked with John Aprea on a couple of projects over the years,” Alicia Leigh Willis (ex-Courtney, General Hospital) shared on Instagram. “He was always so kind and incredibly talented. A class act all the way! Rest in peace, John.”

Aprea played Sherriff Jack North on primetime sudser Falcon Crest in 1987 and Manny Vasquez on Knots Landing in 1988. In 1989, he was cast as Lucas Castigliano on Another World. The former mobster was a love interest for Felicia Gallant, which paired the actor with Linda Dano, with whom he had previously worked on the primetime series The Montefuscos. 

After Lucas was killed off in 1992, Aprea returned to Bay City in 1997 to play another character, Alexander Nikoas, until Rachel Cory shot him dead in 1998. His IMDb page also lists appearances on Days of Our Lives as the characters Arthur and Dr. Bryce. His most recent work was playing Jack Madison on streaming soap The Bay.

Aprea guested in primetime series like Wonder Woman, Matt Houston, Simon & Simon, Night Court, Melrose Place, The Sopranos, NYPD Blue, and Cold Case. On the big screen, he could be seen in films like Bullitt, The Manchurian Candidate, New Jack City, and The Stepford Wives.

Aprea is survived by his third wife, Betsy, his daughter Nicole, from his previous marriage to Ninon Aprea, and stepchildren Marika and Valentino. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.