John Aprea, "The Godfather Part II" and "Full House" actor, dies at the age of 83

John Aprea, who played young Tessio in "The Godfather Part II" and John Stamos' father in "Full House," died on August 5 at the age of 83, his manager Will Levine announced. He died from natural causes in Los Angeles, surrounded by his loved ones.

Aprea was born in Englewood, New Jersey, in 1941, to Italian immigrants. He moved to New York City in the early 1960s to pursue his acting career before transferring to Los Angeles.

He earned his first break in Steve McQueen's 1967 film "Bullitt" before landing the role of young Salvatore "Sal" Tessio in "The Godfather Part II."

While working at a bar in Los Angeles, Aprea met Francis Ford Coppola and auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972). Al Pacino landed the role, of course, but Aprea did land the first sequel as Tessio, the mobster played by Abe Vigoda in the original.

Aprea has appeared in numerous television episodes and films, including "The Montefuscos," "The Idolmaker," and "Matt Houston." His filmography also includes appearances in "Mannix," "The Rookies," "NYPD Blue," "The Stepford Wives," "American Anthem," and "The Game."

He is survived by his third wife, Betsy Garci, daughter Nicole from a former marriage to actress Cherie Latimer, and stepchildren Marika Parker and Valentino Garci.