John Aprea, known for portraying a young Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in “The Godfather Part II,” died earlier this month. He was 83.
Aprea “died of natural causes” on Monday, August 5 Los Angeles surrounded by his loved ones, his manager Will Levine confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“I am very saddened by the death of Mr. Aprea,” Levine told Fox News Digital. “He was an incredibly talented actor and loved by his friends. One of the most handsome guys I knew.”
Aprea was born to Italian immigrants in Englewood, New Jersey, 1941 and landed his first break in the industry in the 1968 Steve McQueen classic San Francisco cop drama, “Bullitt.”
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“The Godfather Part II” star John Aprea died Aug. 5 of “natural causes,” his manager confirmed to Fox News Digital. (Getty Images)
He then went on to play the young Tessio in “The Godfather Part II”. When casting for the role, Aprea reportedly called Abe Vigoda, who played the older version of the role in Part I, to ask for character insight.
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Vigoda told Aprea, “I don’t know what I did. Just be good, kid.”
Aprea starred as Young Tessio in “The Godfather Part II”. (Getty Images)
Aprea appeared in a number of crime dramas in addition to soap opera dramas.
He worked for decades as Alexander Nikos and Lucas Castigliano on the long-running hit “Another World.”
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In addition to his job as a tough guy, Aprea played John Stamo’s father in the family sitcom “Full House”.
Aprea worked with Janet Leigh and Lee Horsely on “Three’s a Crowd”. (Getty Images)
Years later, he reprized his role when the series was picked up for a Netflix reboot for “Fuller House.”
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Aprea is survived by his wife and partner of 25 years, Betsy Graci, daughter Nicole from a previous marriage, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Graci.