John Karagiorgis, best known to us as “Johnny the Greek” from the Real Housewives of New Jersey has died of a massive heart attack according to Vicki Hyman at NJ.com.
Here at Tamara Tattles we are especially saddened by the news. I was once coerced by Johnny to speak with him on the phone, something anyone who knows me knows I am loathe to do. Johnny was always quite funny and upbeat during our occasional chats. He was usually out somewhere with Penny who would chime in at times and give me updates on all things RHONJ.
Johnny the Greek was front and center in one of the biggest dramas ever on RHONJ, Stiletto Gate 2013.
You really must go back and read this post. It was Jac Laurita at her most batshit crazy.
Here is just a piece of he story.
The article also says that Jac testified that JtG “came dressed in clothes like he was ready for a fight.”Well there is some damning evidence. HE WAS DRESSED IN CLOTHES! Give these people their warrant judge. He.was.dressed.in.clothes. But wait, Jac has more to say. The article continues… “Moments before the altercation, Laurita said she was part of a “tsunami of people” packed into the boutique for the grand opening. That’s when she claims Karagiorgis “lunged towards me, and I heard him yelling, ‘I’ll [expletive] kill you.” She said Karagiorgis “had a crazy look in his eyes, like he was on drugs or something,” and, in lunging at her, may have “bumped” her, causing her to fall to the ground. But she acknowledged before Pfund that, amid all of the confusion, security guards who stepped in to usher Karagiorgis from the event could very well have knocked her over. “I can’t be 100 percent sure he caused me to fall.”
Check out all the Stiletto Gate posts here.
John seemed like a fun guy in our brief encounters, and TamaraTattles.com sends out its deepest condolences to John’s wife Penny, and her family.
OH My God ! They settled that case not too long ago, I believe. So sad.
I have never understood why Bravo never showed the footage of Jacq attacking him but let the audio play ? Any idea T.T ?
So much death lately, condolences to Penny and family. That’s rather young, sad.
So unfortunate. My condolences.
I dont know if a personal story is allowed but I used to work as a Director od a mentoring program for children in the DYFS system. Rutt’s Hutt held a hot dog eating contest every year and donated the procceeds to the program for our kids. I have met him on 3 occasions, albeir briefly, and saw him as a gracious, fun loving guy.
Very sad. Condolences to the family.
Thanks for sharing that, Cheria.
I used to live in Clifton, and frequently went to Rutt’s Hut. I didn’t realize he was the same guy who served me hot dogs so many times until Cheria mentioned his restaurant in her comment. He really was very funny, sometimes sarcastic, but good natured.
Condolences to the family.
I’m really sorry to hear.
Thanks TT!
My deepest sympathy to Penny& the kids! Truly devastated this Monday ! He was hysterical & a kind soul ! I was lucky enough to be friends w him! Which is why I am totally freaked out today! I was in hospital myself last week & JTG texted me to see how I was feeling… I texted him back saying I’m fine TY & will be In NJ today so wanted to meet up … Well that was Friday & now on my way to NJ feeling so sad!! Life is so short !!
I am sorry for your loss. I only know he and Penny from the show but I enjoyed their part in it.I do realize it is all drama for the ratings. It is sad to lose a friend and more so when you are younger as I gather you are (compared to ancient me… all relative) I know his spirit will stay with you and pop up in your thoughts when you least expect it.Good souls seem to. Please extend my condolences to the family if you have a chance and to tell them my thoughts and prayers are with them. I know I have only seen them on TV but some people strike you as more real than others. They seemed very real and good. Best to you in this trying time, Dukie. Blessings
Interesting he was a source for you. Wasn’t Big Ang a source too?
It is always very sad when someone dies and leaves a spouse and child behind.
So very sad.
Farewell Johnny. May flights of angels sing you to your rest.
My friends in Bergen County, who prompted me to start watching the RHONJ told me this morning about his passing. They said he and Penny were very good people. My friends knew them through the Church.
Deepest condolences to Penny and the children.
Tamara, my condolences to you as well because even if remotely, your life and their lives touched. It’s still a loss to the heart.
This is sad news. Condolences to Penny and their children. He came across as a straightforward guy on RHONJ. An untimely death.
That’s really quite sad. How ‘young’ was he Tamara? Seems like he was maybe late 40’s. So young to die. It’s so startling when someone that young has a sudden and fatal heart attack. Those who survive just aren’t prepared or even know that anything was/is wrong. Sorry for the family and Penny. I really like her and and John as well. Jacqueline, Joey, and the two Manzo boys were involved with going after John. Really disgusting behavior for two young ‘men’ and shows you just what a piece of shit Jacqueline is and always will be. I can’t believe they brought that useless POS back to the show.