John Capodice, 83, of Blauvelt, NY, formerly of Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. Beloved husband of Jane (nee Crawley). Cherished father of Tessa De Pierro and her husband Joseph and Cassandra Hansen and her husband Dave. Proud grandfather of David, Jake, Frankie and Giuliana. Dear brother of Kathy Magluilo and Patti Lindsay.
John was a US Army Veteran from 1964 to 1966 serving in Korea. John appeared on stage, television and in many films. He was an accomplished actor known for his appearances in Ace Ventura, Wall Street, Seinfeld, Ellen to name just a few. He was also a proud member of the Blauvelt Sons of Italy Rockland Lodge 2176.
John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.
Visiting hours are Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass celebrating John’s life will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, 120 Kings Highway, Sparkill, NY.
Donations in John’s memory can be made to the Rockland Homes for Heroes,www.rocklandhomesforheroes.org.
Dear Cassandra and Family,
I am very sorry on the loss of your beloved father. I had the pleasure of meeting him many times over the years – namely cheering his grandsons on at many a swim meet, having a great time eating out with his family where you could tell he was regaling you all with some fabulous story, and countless other times. I could tell how much he loved all of you, and how much you all love him. I did not know until now why he looked so very familiar he is Aguardo from Ace Ventura! I am so sorry for your loss- may your loving memories of him bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
Michelle Zernone
Thank you so much for your very comforting words which are much needed at this time. Very best Jane Capodice
I knew John for over four decades, and while we didn’t get to spend an awful lot of time together whenever I saw him, it was a joy. He was one of the sweetest men I have ever met. Always kind, a great listener, and the most decent of men. He was an extraordinary actor, and he made a living at it, which is a damn fine thing. I will miss him. May he rest in peace
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Tho I didnt know John, I am grateful for the laughs and memories he gave us all over the years. May he rest in peace.
Dear Cassie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I met your father at Providence and we had many conversations about you, life in general and some of our shared struggles. I have thought of your dad and you many times over the last 30 years. I pray God’s comfort and strength for all of you. Rest in Peace Mr. Capodice.
Dear Jane,
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember Joe coming in to the office to meet you, and he always had a big smile and warm laugh for anyone he spoke with. My sincere condolences.
Regards,
Sal
Jane,
I’m so sorry to hear about John.
Hugs to you and your family.
Courtney
Normandy Village
Dear Jane and family;
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of John. I had met him years ago in Los Angeles when we were both working on a film/ project in Long Beach, CA. He soon became friends with my fiancé and I- and we did keep in touch for years until we moved out of state. I loved his stories and his laughter and his spirit. I know how very much he loved his family! God bless you all and provide you healing in this time of the loss of John.
Naomi Luehrmann
What a guy. I knew him first as a fellow parishioner at a Studio City. California parish. Once he co-starred on an episode on a show where I worked on the production end. I never saw him after I left the state, but delight still when I see his performances. He was as wonderfully gregarious in person. Prayers for all who mourn.
Just reading about Big John. Becoming friends on Ace Ventura was such a pleasure. In the movie business for a long time I’ve never met anyone so special as John. Warm, caring, talented and a joy to talk to. In our business some become “movie” friends. John was unforgettable. Get ready Lord, it’s story time. My heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Dear Jane,
I was so very sad to hear of John’s passing and also that we had lost contact over the last years. However, does anyone know John attended the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where he met you and me too? A lovely actor then as well as a kind lovable person always.
Sending tons of love, Sara
y’all have my deepest condolences
I am shocked and saddened at learning of John’s passing. I met John over forty years ago at his home in New York through my friend and fellow Chicagoan JJ Johnston when they were both working in the production of AMERICAN BUFFALO with Al Pacino. Over the years I got to know John and his dear wife Jane well, and spoke to John several times in recent years after he moved back East. He was a talented actor and, more importantly, a wonderful man. My deepest condolences to Jane, his daughters, and his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. I will miss him.
Mr. Capodice,
Your presence in film and television was extremely comforting and every appearance was like seeing a beloved and familiar friend every single time! You will be deeply missed in film and television.
So sorry for this tremendous loss, may the memories and joy of his life bring light to your hearts! Prayers and condolences.
Dear Jane and family,
So very sorry for your loss. I have happy memories of the time our families spent together. Love and peace, Kathleen Chappell (Ann & Tommy’s daughter. 162nd. St.)
To the Capodice Family.
I was very sad to hear of the passing of John. My Mom Lillian always talked about when her and Cappy went to see John perform in New York and got to meet Al Pacino. After the passing of my Dad , my Mom was lucky to be part of your family.
My condolence to the family.
The hard work, commitment, and intelligence of John Capodice inspired so many. May his loved ones find strength and comfort in the faithful promises contained in Jehovah God’s Word. (Rev. 21:3,4)
Dear Jane, family, & friends,
May your many wonderful memories of John and God’s love help to comfort your heart and spirit.
It was a true joy and honor to meet and talk (and have pizza) with John & Jane at the LA Shorts Film Festivals and to score the music for “Leave My Flowers Alone” and “That Guy, with John Capodice”. John had a magical sparkle in his eyes when he talked about his life and acting career, “I love the wonderful experiences I’ve had”…
May God bless. you and yours.
With love,
Denise
Jane: So sorry for the passing of John. We met over 40+ years ago at the Baptism of our daughters at St. Andrew Avellino Church in Flushing, NY. John and myself were born on 12/23/1941. Remembering you and your family in my p[rayers.
I met John when we were both understudies for AMERICAN BUFFALO. We toured to SF, Boston and London with the show. We stayed friends since then. He has been a mentor, brother, colleague and, most importantly, the dearest friend one could hope for. An amazing actor onstage and on screen, John lit up every room he entered. He was a joy to be around as well as funny, generous and one of the most unique people I have ever known. John and his amazing wife Janie and two beautiful daughters Tessa and Cassie have been like a second family to me in NY as well as LA. And in Pittsburgh where we brought John (and Jane) to work with us at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
I will miss him so much – the face times, the phone conversations the too infrequent times we saw each other in the past decade.
John is not just a star in the sky, but a constellation! Rest in Peace my friend!
Sorry for you loss.
I just noticed today that it announced on tmz.com. I was in girl scouts when I was younger, in Queens. One of John’s daughters was in it too. I was young, and shy, so I didn’t talk much, but when John entered the room, you knew whose father he was. He seemed like a nice man. Very happy. Full of life. It was inspirational. His daughter came to a meeting one night, and said goodbye, because she was moving to California because her father is an actor. I was impressed. A few years later, I was more than thrilled when I recognized him in the movie Ace Ventura, and in the laundromat episode of Seinfeld. I always say: “I was in girl scouts with that man’s daughter”.
Please accept my condolences, for the whole family.
Praying eternal rest grant unto him o Lord let the perpetual light shine upon him may he rest in peace amen inomine patri etcfili et spirit tui sancti amen
Dear Jane and family,
I had the pleasure of knowing John since 2003. Its hard to believe its been 22 years! He was such a wonderful man and a talented performer. We had worked on several film projects over the years, and he was always so dedicated, kind, and GIVING. Giving of his time, talent, and advice. In so many ways he was there to nurture other filmmakers and performers. I will miss him dearly. I am saddened that we did not get to connect before he passed.
I had sent him a message at somepoint, and he replied on November 1st of this year… and his message to me was profound. So I want to share with you what he said to me, because I think it sums up who he was and where his values were. I had sent him a family photo I believe, and he said this in response, “Elliott what a beautiful moment for u and your family. Remember Elliott this business is fleeting and U and your loved ones are forever. Never forget that. -John C.”
I had planned to just call and thank him and reconnect. I am sad we did not get the chance. But he loved his family, and it was clear how important it was to stay connected to you all. And that too was another lesson he was imparting to me.
So my heart breaks for you and WITH YOU during this time. If I could I would join you to celebrate his life, but I would not be able to make the trip sadly. But you all are in my heart and mind during this time. I pray that you know how loved you were by him, but also know that he is now with the Lord no longer in any pain or suffering in anyway. But that the separation is temporary, and you will see him again.
Jane, William (Billy) and I spoke this evening, and definitely want to express our condolences directly to you. We shared our memories of John with each other on our various film sets. We were so fortunate and blessed to be able to “share” him with you. Sending so much love to you and your kids right now.
-Elliott Brown
To the Capodice family
Jane, we remember meeting you one time, we came out to see John. He was in a play at the time. Our daughter was studying dance at the American Ballet Theater in N.Y. She actually did become a ballet theater. We went to see her and decided to visit John. We have a couple of pictures of John and our daughter Jill when Jill was maybe 2 years old so John had to be about 21.
We grew up with John in the fifty’s. Knew his mom Jenny and dad Cappy. Don’t know if his sisters would remember us.
John was tall and like a rail! He played basketball.
George and John where close when teenagers and twenties. He was always at our house.
We remember when he went to England to study acting. He went from being a street kid to an Englishman when he came home. Using English slang. He said to us “I’ll ring you” we where like “what”! And Jenny told us “he keeps pulling my chair when I go to sit down”. We had many good times, some we wouldn’t repeat!
When John went to the east coast we where in contact with him for a while then that faded but he was always in our hearts. We followed his career and when we would see him in a sitcom or movie we would yell”there’s John”.
We are so very sorry to hear about John ,we send you our sincerest sympathies .
George and Melody Skintges
Mrs. Capodice,
I just learned of Mr. Capodice’s passing. I had the opportunity to meet both of you at Paisan Con last spring. Your husband’s interview was the first one of the weekend and he made it so easy. He was pleasant and kind, as were you. I was looking forward to seeing you both this spring and I a so sad I won’t get the opportunity to see you both and thank him for being so wonderful. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort. You and your family are in my prayers.
Dear Jane, Tessa and Cassie,
We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was always larger than life and left an extraordinary impression with everyone he met. We got to know your family at the dancing school in both Flushing and then Bayside and have a very special place in our hearts for all of you. May his spirit bring you joy, and his everlasting love fill your hearts always.
With love,
Jill and Sharon, Ballet to Broadway
Dearest Jane, and Tessa, and Cassie,
I was sooo very sad to hear of John’s passing. The world will be a duller place without him in it; he was a Force of Nature…in all ways! His SMILE; his LAUGH; the TWINKLE in his EYES; his STORIES; his OPINIONS….and his love for his FAMILY. I treasure the memories of when he lived with me for a while before you joined him in Los Angeles, Jane. And I got to know the girls when you all DID join him. It was a JOY!!
I loved reading through all the tributes that folks from all parts of his life have contributed on this page. I’m sure knowing the impact he had for so many people in this world will bring you a comfort. There are no words to fill the void of loss, only memories to wrap around our hearts. I can recommend a beautiful poem by Spiritualist John O’Donnohue “For Grief.” It carries with it words of comfort that will help the process.
Blessings on your hearts and in your homes during this time of grieving.