John Heard, the actor most well-known for his starring roles in the Home Alone movie series, has died, aged 71.
According to TMZ, Heard was found dead in a hotel room on Friday in Palo Alto, where it’s understood he had been recovering from minor back surgery.
Family sources claim the actor was allegedly discovered by a maid, who contacted emergency services. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Palo Alto Police Department spokesperson said: “I can confirm that our officers responded with the Fire Department to a hotel in our city yesterday on a report of a person in need of medical aid.
“The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time.”
The actor’s most iconic role was as Peter McCallister, the father of Macaulay Culkin’s character, in the 1990-hit movie Home Alone. He would reprise the role for the sequel in 1992.
Heard also appeared in a slew of other films including Big alongside Tom Hanks, Beaches, and Gladiator. He was also a television actor, appearing on Miami Vice, and later on the ground-breaking television HBO series, The Sopranos.
Heard was also a theatre performer, acting in his first Broadway show in 1972. He would return to tread the boards over the years – with a notable performance in 1983 alongside actor Jessica Tandy in Tennessee Williams’ play The Glass Menagerie.
The star had been married three times, including once to actress Margot Kidder for just six days. He is survived by three children.
