John Capodice, a character actor known for his work in over 150 film and television projects, including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “General Hospital,” passed away on December 30, 2024 in Northvale, New Jersey at the age of 83.
Capodice, born on Christmas Day, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, started his journey to Hollywood following his service in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1964 to 1966. His career in acting took off in the late 1970s with performances in Off-Broadway plays in New York City, leading to his television debut in the 1978 daytime drama “Ryan’s Hope.” His film career began with 1982’s movie “Rush It.”
Capodice made his mark in the 1980s as a dependable character actor, earning roles in popular television series such as “Spenser: For Hire,” “The Equalizer,” and “Moonlighting.” Notable film appearances during this time included Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” (1987) with Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen and “The Secret of My Success” (1987) with Michael J. Fox.
In the early 1990s, Capodice took on notable roles in “Q” and “Family Business,” leading to his most recognized decade in the entertainment industry. His portrayal of Officer Aguado in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994) alongside Jim Carrey earned him widespread acclaim. In the same year, he began a significant six-episode arc on “General Hospital” as Carmine Cerullo, further increasing his presence in film and television.
Capodice’s film career saw continued success with roles in high-profile productions like Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991) with Val Kilmer, “Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992) featuring Nicolas Cage, “Speed” (1994) with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, and Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day” (1996). His television roles expanded with multiple appearances in “Law & Order,” each time portraying a different character, showcasing his acting range.
In the TV show “Seinfeld,” Capodice portrayed a laundromat owner in the episode “The Money,” adding another memorable character to his portfolio. Appearances in “Will & Grace” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” further demonstrated his ability to effortlessly transition between comedy and drama. He also featured in “The West Wing” and had a recurring role in “Murphy Brown.”
During the 2000s, Capodice maintained a consistent presence in the industry, featuring in “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” and “Enemy of the State” with Will Smith. He also had a recurring role in “NYPD Blue,” where he portrayed different characters across several seasons. His work on “Knots Landing” similarly showcased his talent for crafting memorable characters in limited screen time.
In his later years, Capodice remained active, lending his voice to the cab driver character in the 2023 animated feature “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and taking on the role of Big John in the 2024 series “Conversations with Mobster.”
Capodice is survived by his wife, Jane Crawley Capodice, daughters Tessa De Pierro and Cassandra Hansen, and four grandchildren.
