Actor John Heard, best known for his work in beloved '80s and '90s movies like Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Beaches, and Big, has died at the age of 71.
The Palo Alto police department confirmed to People that a man fitting Heard's description was found dead at a local hotel on Friday. "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," a police spokesperson told the magazine. "The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time." There are reports that Heard was staying at the hotel as he recovered from minor back surgery.
Heard started his acting career in the 1970s, and built up an impressive resume over the decades, with more than 200 stage and screen credits to his name, including roles on TV series like Kate and Allie, Miami Vice, The Sopranos, Battlestar Galactica, and Modern Family, as well as dozens of films including Gladiator, In the Line of Fire, and The Pelican Brief. But perhaps his most iconic role was as the father, Peter McCallister, in the Home Alone movies.
According to Variety, Heard is survived by a son, Jack, from a relationship with actress Melissa Leo, and a daughter, Annika, from his second wife, Sharon. His son Max, also with ex-wife Sharon, passed away in December 2016.
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