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Actor John Heard dies, aged 72

The actor John Heard, best known for his roles in The Sopranos and Home Alone, has died at the age of 72.

The movie star passed away on Friday in his hotel room in Palo Alto, California.

He was found by the maid service, according to a source close to the family, and when paramedics arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene, TMZ reports.

The cause of death is said to be unclear at the moment but police aren't treating it as suspicious.

Actor John Heard, best known for playing the dad in 'Home Alone' alongside Catherine O'Hara, has died aged 72.
Actor John Heard, best known for playing the dad in 'Home Alone' alongside Catherine O'Hara, has died aged 72.

A representative for the late actor also confirmed Heard was staying in the hotel to recover after undergoing "minor back surgery" at Stanford Medical Centre earlier in the week.

Heard began his career in Hollywood in the late 1970s, with his first role in Chilly Scenes of Winter followed by Heart Beat and Cutter's Way, which has become a classic in recent years.

From there, Heard went on to star in the likes of C.H.U.D., Cat People and After Hours as well as take on roles in Big and Beaches.

More recently Heard had a brief appearance in the cult 'Sharknado' movie.
More recently Heard had a brief appearance in the cult 'Sharknado' movie.

However, Heard is best known for starring in The Sopranos and playing Macaulay Culkin's father Peter McCallister in 1990's Home Alone and again in the sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, two years later.

More recently, Heard had a brief appearance in the first Sharknado movie.

Heard's death is not being treated as suspicious.
Heard's death is not being treated as suspicious.

Since the sad news broke, Twitter has been flooded with messages from fans paying tribute to the late actor.

One wrote: "John Heard RIP ... Wonderful actor. So many great roles. Notably Home Alone, Big and The Sopranos."

And another added: "Aw man, John Heard has died. RIP #PeterMcCallister. #HomeAlone 1 & 2 was a huge part of my childhood. I still love those two films. (sic)"

A third shared: "OMG, NOOOOOO! Another great actor! RIP John Heard, you will be missed !!! (sic)"

- With Bang Showbiz