John Capodice, Actor Known for ‘Ace Ventura,’ ‘Independence Day,’ Dies at 83

John Capodice arrives at the after party to celebrate Joe Mantegna's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on April 29, 2011. Angela Weiss/Getty Images

John Capodice, an actor known for his roles in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Speed,” and “Independence Day,” has died at the age of 83.

The Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale, New Jersey, confirmed in an online obituary that Capodice passed away on Dec. 30. An official cause of death was not listed.

Born on Dec. 25, 1941, in Chicago, Capodice served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1960s before pursuing a career in film and television.

The Italian American actor, who had more than 150 acting credits to his name, made his on-screen debut in 1978 with roles in the romantic comedy “Rush It,” featuring Tom Berenger and John Heard, and the ABC soap opera “Ryan’s Hope.”

Capodice went on to act in a slew of television shows and telefilms throughout the 1980s, including “The Equalizer,” “Rockabye,” and “Another World.” He then landed a role in the 1987 crime thriller “Wall Street,” starring Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen, and Charlie Sheen. Two years later, he portrayed Frank Santos in the film “True Blood.”

Throughout the 1990s and aughts, Capodice starred in films such as “Blue Steel” (1990), “Jacob’s Ladder” (1990), “The Doors” (1991), “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994), “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” (1994), “Independence Day” (1996), “Enemy of the State” (1998), and “Carolina” (2003).

He also appeared in a variety of television shows during those decades, including “Law & Order,” “Seinfeld,” “Melrose Place,” “NYPD Blue,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Boy Meets World,” “General Hospital,” “Mad About You,” “Ellen,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Dragnet,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” and “Monk.”

More recently, Capodice starred alongside Michael Saquella and Dominick Mancino in the streaming series “Conversation with Mobster.” He also provided voice work in the 2023 film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.”

Tributes Pour In

In the wake of Capodice’s death, fans and fellow entertainers took to social media to pay their respects to the late actor.

“Goodbye to the great John Capodice, from the great lineage of supporting actors in American film and TV. The hilarious Sergeant Aguado from ‘Ace Ventura,’ but also the unforgettable taxi driver from ‘The Phantom,’” one fan wrote on X.

“RIP John Capodice, a legend. My buddy Brendan Ross (@NeonDreamsTO) bought me a Cameo from him after my dad died and he was really sweet,” another wrote.

“Rest in Peace, John Capodice,” Eric Ackerman, the actor’s former neighbor, wrote online. “@GeneralHospital fans will remember him as Lois’ dad, Carmine Cerullo, but I'll remember the years when he lived near me, doted on his grandchildren, and loved to eat out at local restaurants.”

“Rest in peace to John Capodice,” former six-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Rappaport wrote.

“My prayers and condolences to the family and friends of John Capodice,” a fan account for “General Hospital” penned. “He played Carmine Cerullo on General Hospital. I enjoyed his work in movies and television like Wall Street, Seinfeld, Ace Ventura, Independence Day, The Phantom and many others. RIP John Capodice.”

Capodice is survived by his wife, Jane (nee Crawley); their two daughters, Tessa and Cassandra; and four grandchildren, David, Jake, Frankie, and Giuliana.

“John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him,” the Pizzi Funeral Home wrote.

Visitations will be held at the funeral home on Jan. 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a celebration of life ceremony on Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church in Tappan, New York.