Which famous roles did John Capodice play? Details explored as the actor passes away at 83
The veteran American actor John Capodice passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 83. With over a hundred acting credits to his name, Capodice had a career spanning decades in film, television, and theater. He was known for the versatility and the range of his numerous memorable characters.
Capodice is most recognized for his roles in classic films like Wall Street and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and guest roles in sitcoms like Kate & Allie, Murphy Brown, and Will & Grace. One of his best-known roles is his portrayal of Laundromat owner Vic in the second season of Seinfeld.
Over the years, John Capodice developed the reputation of a reliable and engaging presence on screen. The cause of his death is not confirmed yet, but an obituary released by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, reads:
"John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him."
John Capodice played Laundromat owner Vic in Seinfeld
Among the multiple guest roles that John Capodice played in his career, one of the most popular ones is his portrayal of Vic, the gruff laundromat owner, in the sitcom Seinfeld. The character appears in the episode titled The Revenge (season 2, episode 7), which first aired in 1991.
Vic owns the laundromat where Jerry is a regular, and in that particular episode, he takes Kramer's clothes, too, upon his insistence. After getting the clothes back, Jerry realizes that he had previously hidden $1,500 in the laundry bag, which was nowhere to be found.
Jerry and Kramer assume Vic has the money, but the latter says he doesn't. He also tells the duo that he is not responsible for any valuables left at the laundromat. Furious, the duo hatch a scheme to retaliate by dumping concrete into one of Vic's washing machines.
After a comedic mishap, they are successful in their scheme, only to find out that the money was in Kramer's laundry bag the entire time. The episode comes full circle when they realize that the money found is almost equal to the amount they would have to pay for the damages to the washing machine.
The life and career of John Capodice
Born in Chicago, Illinois, John Capodice was a prolific American actor known for his work in film, television series, and advertisements. John was a part of the US Army, serving in Korea from 1964 to 1966. His early career included significant theater work, and his first credited role came with the ABC TV soap opera Ryan's Hope.
Starting in the 1970s, Capodice's on-screen career spanned multiple decades. He played memorable characters in films such as Wall Street as Dominick, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective as a police officer, and Speed as a bomb squad leader.
On television, he made appearances on shows like General Hospital, Law & Order, Seinfeld, Murder She Wrote, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. His other notable credits include Spenser: For Hire, Kate & Allie, The West Wing, Murphy Brown, Knots Landing, Hunter, and Six Feet Under.
According to his IMDb page, John Capodice was celebrated for his ability to elevate supporting roles, often portraying blue-collar workers, authority figures, or tough yet relatable characters.
In his obituary, he is described as
"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."
The Funeral Mass to honor his life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, 120 Kings Highway, Sparkill, NY. The Rockland Homes for Heroes will be accepting donations in John’s memory.
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