John Heard, the Emmy-nominated actor known for his role as dad Peter McAllister in the Home Alone movies, has died at the age of 72.
The actor was found in a hotel room on Friday (July 21), where he was reportedly staying while recovering from back surgery, and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The Santa Clara Medical Examiner's office later confirmed his death, Variety reports, and the cause of Heard's death is still under investigation.
Heard was best known for his role in the Christmas classic film Home Alone, starring as Kevin McAllister's (Macaulay Culkin) forgetful dad Peter who leaves his son behind while the rest of the family travel to France. He later reprised the role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Alongside Home Alone, Heard also starred in several big films across the '80s and '90s, including Beaches, Big and Gladiator.
The actor also enjoyed success on television and appeared in episodes of Miami Vice, Law & Order and CSI: Miami, as well as starring in a recurring role on hit series The Sopranos as Detective Vin Makazian, for which he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
More recently, Heard has been seen in the likes of 2013's Sharknado and starred in Prison Break's first two seasons as Sara's father Governor Frank Tancredi.
Heard has also starred in episodes of Modern Family, Mistresses and Elementary.
Among those paying tribute to John after news of his passing include Jeff Bridges and Elijah Wood:
He is survived by his three children.
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