Actor John Aprea, beloved 'Full House' star, dies at 83

In Los Angeles, actor John Aprea, remembered for his roles in "The Godfather Part II" and the TV series "Full House," passed away from natural causes at the age of 83. His manager, Will Levine, confirmed the news.

John Aprea, born in 1941 to a family of Italian immigrants, initially lived in Italy before returning to the United States. He began his acting career in New York, attending classes with Joshua Shelley, alongside stars like Mia Farrow and Jon Voight.

His first significant role was in the movie "Bullitt" alongside Steve McQueen in 1968. However, the breakthrough came with his role as the young Tessio in "The Godfather Part II" by Francis Ford Coppola. Seeking guidance for the role, Aprea contacted Abe Vigoda, who played the older character version, and received the advice: "I don't know what I did. Just have a good time, kid." These words became a guiding principle in his further career.

Aprea also appeared in TV series such as "Matt Houston" and later "Knots Landing," where his role earned him a nomination for the "Soap Opera Digest" award. Contemporary viewers also knew him as the father of John Stamos' character, Uncle Jesse, in the TV series "Full House" and its continuation on Netflix.

The actor left behind his wife, Betsy Graci, with whom he had been married for 25 years, a daughter, Nicole, from a previous marriage, and stepchildren, Marika Parker and Valentino Graci. As "Variety" reports, a private ceremony will be organized in tribute to his life.