'Lost a good friend': The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Johnny 'The Greek' Karagiorgis dies of a heart attack

By Kayla Caldwell For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:45 EST, 5 June 2016 | Updated: 18:21 EST, 5 June 2016

The Real Housewives' Johnny 'The Greek' Karagiorgis has passed away due to a heart attack.

Friends paid tribute to the reality star online, calling his loss 'devastating'.

According to RHONJ fansite AllAboutTRH, Johnny passed away from a heart attack.

Gone too soon: AllAboutTRH has reported that The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Johnny 'The Greek' Karagiorgis has passed away from a heart attack

Gone too soon: AllAboutTRH has reported that The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Johnny 'The Greek' Karagiorgis has passed away from a heart attack

On Saturday, Johnny's friend Dave Paladino shared his condolences on Instagram writing: 'Devastating!! Lost a good friend tonight! Johny The Greek @johnnythegrk rest well my friend #RIP #friend'

The Greek, as he was known on RHONJ, owned a New Jersey hair salon that series regulars Kim DePaola and Teresa Giudice visited on the show back in 2013.

Johnny was infamously involved in a bloody brawl with Joe Gorga after the angry reality star approached him at Kim D's Posche 2 store opening following remarks he had allegedly made about his wife Melissa.

The brutal group fight was never aired by Bravo, and resulted in Johnny filing a lawsuit against Joe, as well as Chris and Jacqueline Laurita.

Joe and the Lauritas later testified that the salon owner was 'obsessed' with the stars of the reality series.

Quite a shock: The former reality star's passing seemed quite sudden, with reports saying it was a heart attack

Quite a shock: The former reality star's passing seemed quite sudden, with reports saying it was a heart attack

As a result of the lawsuit, both Johnny and his wife Penny did not return to the show.

Johnny had maintained a relatively low profile since appearing on the show, most recently posting on Twitter about his fervent support for presidential wannabe Donald Trump.

Back in April he had also shared an invitation with his followers to the grand opening of a new salon - Medusa's Hair Loft - in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. 

Documenting his progress: Just two weeks prior Johnny had taken to Instagram to share a snap of himself at the gym, getting 'summer ready'

Documenting his progress: Just two weeks prior Johnny had taken to Instagram to share a snap of himself at the gym, getting 'summer ready'

In September he spoke with theRealMRHouswife.com about a new reality project he was working on.

He was planning a show called Legend's Road that would document 'young athletes of different ages, ranging from middle school to high school, training for their upcoming season in different strength and conditioning schools.'

Johnny had called the planned series 'a cross between your local sports channels, ESPN, and reality television.'

Johnny is survived by his son Niko as well as his wife Penny.  

Devastated: On Saturday, friend and STRIKE ZONE owner/Martial Art and fitness expert Dave Paladino shared his condolences on Instagram writing: 'Devastating!! Lost a good friend tonight! Johny The Greek @johnnythegrk rest well my friend #RIP #friend'

Devastated: On Saturday, friend and STRIKE ZONE owner/Martial Art and fitness expert Dave Paladino shared his condolences on Instagram writing: 'Devastating!! Lost a good friend tonight! Johny The Greek @johnnythegrk rest well my friend #RIP #friend'

 

 

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