John Aprea, who appeared on multiple soaps including Another World, has passed away.
John Aprea, best known to soap fans as Lucas Castigliano on the classic NBC soap Another World, died on August 5 of natural causes. Aprea's manager, Will Levine, confirmed the actor's death to CBS News.
Aprea was born on March 4, 1941, in Englewood, NJ, and began acting in his early twenties. Aprea worked on several films in the late 1960s, but his big break came when he was bartending and met Francis Ford Coppola. That fateful meeting led to an audition to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather. While Aprea didn't get the part, he did land the role of a young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather, Part II.
Aprea continued working in both film and television in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on such shows as Matt Houston, Falcon Crest, and Knots Landing, as well as making guest appearances in several popular programs such as Simon & Simon, The A-Team, and Hardcastle and McCormick.
In 1989, Aprea turned to the world of daytime soap operas when he took on the role of Lucas, Felicia Gallant's first love, when she was known by her original name, Fanny Grady. Lucas only had one name when he first appeared in Bay City, but fans eventually learned his last name was Castigliano. Lucas was tragically killed in 1992, but Aprea returned to the soap in 1997, playing Lucas' doppelgnger, Alexander Nikos.
Aprea also found sitcom fame around the time he found soap fame. In 1988, he took on the recurring character of Nick Katsopolis on Full House, playing John Stamos' on-screen dad until 1991. In 2017, he reprised the role in the Netflix sequel, Fuller House.
After Aprea's runs on Full House and Another World ended, Aprea remained active with work in primetime, landing guest spots on Silk Stalkings, NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, and Cold Case. In 1999, he made his way back to soaps, playing Arthur on Days of our Lives. In 2012, Aprea found himself in Salem once again, this time as Dr. Bryce. From 2020 to 2023, Aprea brought The Bay's Jack Madison to life.
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Aprea is survived by his wife, Betsy; his daughter, Nicole; and his stepchildren, Marika and Valentino.
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