John Aprea

Jonathan Aprea (March 4, 1941 – August 5, 2024) was an American actor. He is known for playing the roles of young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II (1974), Lt. Vince Novelli on Matt Houston (1982 to 1984), Sheriff Jack North on Falcon Crest (1987), Manny Vasquez on Knots Landing (1988), Lucas Castigliano on Another World (1989 to 1992), and Nick Katsopolis on Full House (1988 to 1991) and Fuller House (2017). His other film credits include Bullitt (1968), The Stepford Wives (1975), New Jack City (1991), The Game (1997), and The Manchurian Candidate (2004).

Aprea was born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, New Jersey, where he was also raised. He graduated in 1959 from Dwight Morrow High School. 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.

In high school, Aprea played football as an All Bergen County tackle and linebacker. He worked in a produce store owned by his parents, California Market, located in Englewood. 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.

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.

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.

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

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). 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.

In 1975, he appeared as a cop in the film The Stepford Wives. He also played Marvin in the film Crazy Mama, directed again by Jonathan Demme. 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.