John Capodice, the versatile character actor who appeared in more than 150 films and television shows, including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “General Hospital,” died December 30, 2024, in Northvale, New Jersey. He was 83.
Born on Christmas Day 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, Capodice began his journey to Hollywood after serving in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1964 to 1966. His acting career launched in the late 1970s with Off-Broadway plays in New York City, leading to his television debut in the 1978 daytime drama “Ryan’s Hope.” His first film role came in 1982’s “Rush It,” marking the beginning of his extensive cinema career.
Throughout the 1980s, Capodice established himself as a reliable character actor, securing roles in acclaimed television series, including “Spenser: For Hire,” “The Equalizer,” and “Moonlighting.” His distinctive presence and versatility led to appearances in major films such as Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” (1987) alongside Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen and “The Secret of My Success” (1987) with Michael J. Fox.
In the early 1990s, Capodice took on memorable roles in “Q” and “Family Business,” leading to his most prominent decade in entertainment. He gained widespread recognition as Officer Aguado in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994) opposite Jim Carrey, where his deadpan delivery provided the perfect counterpoint to Carrey’s manic energy. That same year, he began a significant six-episode arc on “General Hospital” as Carmine Cerullo, expanding his visibility in film and television.
His film career continued to flourish with roles in significant productions, including Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991) with Val Kilmer, “Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992) starring Nicolas Cage, “Speed” (1994) with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, and Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day” (1996). His television presence grew with appearances in “Law & Order,” where he appeared in multiple episodes as different characters, demonstrating his range as an actor.
In “Seinfeld,” Capodice memorably played a laundromat owner in the episode “The Money,” adding to his roster of distinctive character roles. His appearances on “Will & Grace” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” further showcased his ability to move seamlessly between comedy and drama. He also appeared in “The West Wing” and had a recurring role in “Murphy Brown.”
In the 2000s, Capodice continued to work consistently, appearing in “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” and “Enemy of the State” with Will Smith. He had a recurring role on “NYPD Blue” as different characters across multiple seasons, each bringing a distinct personality to his roles. His work on “Knots Landing” similarly showed his ability to create memorable characters in limited screen time.
In recent years, Capodice remained active in the industry, with roles in the Emmy Award-winning “Wizards of Waverly Place” and voice work as a cab driver in the 2023 animated feature “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” His final project was the role of Big John in the 2024 series “Conversations with Mobster,” completing a career that spanned nearly five decades.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Crawley Capodice, daughters Tessa De Pierro and Cassandra Hansen, four grandchildren, and his sisters, Kathy Magluilo and Patti Lindsay.
