John Aprea Passes On

John Aprea, who appeared in such movies as The Godfather Part II and starred on the shows The Montefuscos and Matt Houston,died on August 5 at age 83.

John Aprea was born on March 4 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey. For a time his family lived in Italy and then returned to New Jersey. He graduated from Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey. He attended Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, majoring in business. He left college after its dean wouldn't let him switch his major to political science. While working various jobs, John Aprea decided to try acting. He moved to New York City and later Los Angeles to pursue his career.

John Aprea made his movie debut in a small part as a killer in Bullitt (1978). He made his television in a guest appearance on That Girl. He appeared in the movies The Grahopper (1970) and The Dark Side of Tomorrow (1970). He guest starred on Mannix. In the Seventies he appeared in the movies Sweet Kill (1972), The Seven-Ups (1973), Caged Heat (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), The Stepford Wives (1975), Crazy Mama (1975), and The Idolmaker (1980). He starred on the short-lived sitcom The Montefuscos. He guest starred on the shows The F.B.I., Kate McShane, The Rookies, Wonder Woman, Mrs. Columbo, and A Man Called Sloane.

In the Eighties he appeared in the mini-series The Gangster Chronicles. He played the regular role of Lt. Vince Novelli on the show Matt Houston. He had recurring roles on Falcon's Crest, Knot's Landing, Full House, and the daytime soap opera Another World.  He guest starred on the shows The Powers of Matthew Star, Three's a Crowd, Mike Hammer, Hardcastle and McCormick, Simon & Simon, Street Hawk, Stingray, The A-Team, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Fall Guy, Private Eye,, Tales from the Darkside, Father Dowling Mysteries, and Night Court. He appeared in the movies Comeback (1982), The Act (1983), American Anthem (1986), Picasso Tiger (1988), and Savage Beach (1989).

In the Nineties John Aprea had another recurring role on Another World as well as the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. and appeared again in his recurring role on Full House. He guest starred on the shows The Hat Squad, Dark Justice, Melrose Place, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Silk Stalkings, Heaven Help Us, Renegade, Vengeance Unlimited, Pacific Blue, and The District. He appeared in the movies New Jack City (1991), Direct Hit (1994), Cyber Tracker (1994), To the Limit (1995), Sunset Park (1996), The Game (1997), My Brother Jack (1997), Deadly Ransom (1998), Dead Man on Campus (1998), and Brother (2000).

In the Naughts Mr. Aprea guest starred on the shows Philly, NYPD Blue, Cold Case (2009), and Lie to Me. He had a recurring role on the American telenovela American Heiress. He appeared in the movies The Streetsweeper (2002)  and The Manchurian Candidate (2004). In the Teens guest starred on the show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Decker,and Drive Share. He had a recurring role on Fuller House. He appeared in the movies Dirty People (2012), After You (2013), Snapshot (2014), Sharkskin (2015), Steve D (2016), Dark Image (2017), Lost Angelas (2019), and Space Junk (2019). In the 2020s he had a recurring role on the TV series The Bay and appeared in the movie Cold (2021).

John Aprea was a fine actor. He played his share of gangsters, including a young Salvatore Tesslo in The Godfather Part II and he played historical mobster and co-founder of Murder, Inc. Albert Anastasia in the mini-series The Gangster Chronicles. At the same time he could roles on the side of the law, such as Lt. Novelli on Matt Houston and Sheriff Jack North . Throughout his career he played a variety of roles, including a doctor in Bullitt, and the manager of rock star in the A-Team episode "There Goes the Neighborhood," He leaves behind a career of fine performances.