Actor John Heard Dies at 72

John Heard, who is remembered for playing the father on the “Home Alone” franchise, has died according to the Santa Clara Medical Examiner coroner. His body was discovered in a hotel room near Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, where he had recently undergone back surgery.

Born March 7, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Heard launched his career with a role in a 1974 off-Broadway production of “The Wager.” Heard then appeared in a series of stage roles on Broadway, including his Obie Award-winning performance in “Othello” in 1979.

Heard’s acting resume included roles in movies “Between the Lines” (1977), “Chilly Scenes of Winter” (1979), “Heart Beat” (1981), “Cutter’s Way” (1981), “Big” (1988), “The Milagro Beanfield War” (1988), “Beaches” 1988), “Awakenings” 1992) and “Gladiator” (1992). On television, he appeared in three regularly scheduled scripted dramas: “The Client” (1995-96), “Jack & Bobby” (2004-05) and the 2005-06 season of Fox’s “Prison Break.” Also of note was an ongoing role on HBO,s “The Sopranos,” which resulted in an Emmy nomination for Guest Actor in a Drama in 1999.
Heard, who lived in Studio City, California at the time of his death, is survived by three children, John Matthew Heard III, Max Heard and Annika Heard.