John Heard dies at 71
NEW YORK — Actor John Heard, whose many roles included the father in the “Home Alone” series and a corrupt detective in “The Sopranos,” has died. He was 71 years old.
His death was confirmed Saturday by the Santa Clara Medical Examiner’s office in California. TMZ reported Heard, who lived in southern California, was found at a Palo Alto, Calif., hotel where he was recovering from back surgery.
Heard played Peter McCallister, the father of Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, in “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” He said in later interviews he sought a movie with kids in it so his son, could come to the set and have someone with whom to play.
After it became a big hit, he was reluctant to revisit the role but his agent convinced him the money was too good to pass up.
He was born March 7, 1946, in Washington, D.C. and grew up performing in local theater.