John Heard, the actor best known for his role as the dad in the original “Home Alone” movies, died on Friday, July 21. He was 72.
According to TMZ, he was found in a hotel in Palo Alto, California by the maid service and was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called.
The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office confirmed his death.
“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 spokesperson from the Palo Alto Police Department told People. “The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time.”
The Emmy nominee had undergone minor back surgery earlier this week and was said to be recovering at the hotel. Heard's cause of death has not been immediately released.
Besides “Home Alone,” Heard appeared in dozens of movies and shows like “Big,” “Awakenings,” “The Pelican Brief” and “The Sopranos.”
Heard had three marriages including one to actress Margot Kidder. He is survived by three children including one with former partner Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo.
He was arrested in 1991 and charged with third-degree assault for allegedly slapping Leo. In 1997 he was found guilty of trespassing Leo’s Baltimore home.
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. Luke 11:21
"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." -- George W. Bush
July 22, 2017, 12:55 PM
amals
Always liked him. First thing I saw him in was Cutter and Bone, also known as Cutter's Way. He was on actor's holiday and was terrific. R.I.P.
July 22, 2017, 01:24 PM
thunderson
Always liked him. I served him lunch once when I was waiting tables in college. He was cool.
I have the heart of a lion.......and a lifetime ban from the Toronto Zoo.- Unknown
July 22, 2017, 01:27 PM
Balzé Halzé
quote:
“The person was determined to be deceased."
Is that an industry term? Da' heck.
Anyway, I will always remember him from the movie Big. It was the first movie that I remember seeing him in.
~Alan Acta Non Verba NRA Life Member (Patron) God, Family, Guns, Country
Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan
July 22, 2017, 04:17 PM
dusty3030
Detective Vin Makazian on the Sopranos was my favorite part he had and he played it to the T.
Had to look him up, had him confused with John Hurt.
Who, unfortunately, is also gone.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
July 22, 2017, 07:41 PM
HuskySig
I'm shocked that he was 72.
July 22, 2017, 07:48 PM
Mike S
I didn't realize he was 72, either. I always enjoyed his work.
July 22, 2017, 08:11 PM
oddball
He was great in The Sopranos, always felt a little bad for him the way Tony treated his character.
He did a good job playing the asshole in Big.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
July 22, 2017, 08:54 PM
Balzé Halzé
quote:
Originally posted by oddball:
He did a good job playing the asshole in Big.
Haha, yeah, he was such a prick. His character was great.
~Alan Acta Non Verba NRA Life Member (Patron) God, Family, Guns, Country
Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan
July 22, 2017, 09:28 PM
Bigboreshooter
I liked him in Cat People.
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. Luke 11:21
"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." -- George W. Bush
July 22, 2017, 09:30 PM
Tommydogg
RIP. I always get him confused with William Hurt, but I always got it figured out. These guys that we always considered average age are starting to take the last train west.
___________________________ "I Get It Now"
Beth Greene
July 22, 2017, 09:32 PM
jhe888
He was very good in The Sopranos.
RIP.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
July 22, 2017, 11:25 PM
Orive 8
RIP, remember him from the Miami Vice episode "One way ticket" where Crocket hits the range for some "therapy".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice.
July 23, 2017, 02:46 PM
Sigmund
quote:
Originally posted by Tommydogg: RIP. I always get him confused with William Hurt, but I always got it figured out...
Throw in John Hurt (who died a few months ago) and I got real confused.