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).
While he was growing up, Aprea's family would have Sunday dinners with aunts and uncles who lived in Brooklyn and New Jersey.
[5] He worked in a produce store owned by his parents, California Market, located in Englewood.
Aprea decided to leave school when the dean wouldn't let him change his major to political science.
[4] 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.
He was a bartender at the Pub Room at Arthur, a nightclub that was owned by Sybil Christopher and frequented by many celebrities.
[11] 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.
Coppola eventually cast Aprea as young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II (1974).
[17] Aprea was cast in a regular role as Albert Anastasia in the NBC miniseries The Gangster Chronicles.
[1] Aprea was cast as Lt. Vince Novelli on the ABC action series Matt Houston, playing the role from 1982 until 1984.
[10] In 1987, Aprea played Frank in the television film Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife, co-starring with Melissa Gilbert.
[23] He had a recurring role as Sheriff Jack North on the CBS series Falcon Crest.
[24][26] Aprea received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Villain - Prime Time for his work on Knots Landing.
[5] From 1988 to 1989, he played the recurring role of Nick Katsopolis, the father of Jesse (John Stamos), on the ABC sitcom Full House.
[5] Aprea played Don Armeteo in the film New Jack City (1991), directed by Mario Van Peebles.
[31][32] In 1993, Aprea guest starred on The Hat Squad, Dark Justice, Melrose Place, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and Silk Stalkings.
[1][10] He played Philly Bambino in the action film To the Limit (1995), co-starring with Anna Nicole Smith.
[39] In 2004, Aprea played Rear Admiral Glick in the film The Manchurian Candidate, co-starring with Denzel Washington and directed by Jonathan Demme.