Beaches, Home Alone star John Heard dead aged 72

John Heard, the star of many 80s and 90s movies including Home Alone and Beaches, has died aged 72.

The actor, who won hearts as the long-suffering father of a large and unruly brood in the Home Alone series, was found alone in a California hotel room, according to numerous reports. Emergency services were unable to revive him. He’d had minor back surgery earlier in the week but the cause of death is unknown, reports said.

Movie fans will remember him as Bette Midler’s husband in Beaches and as Tom Hank’s arch-enemy in Big, as well as for critically acclaimed turns as a wounded Vietnam veteran in 1981’s Cutter’s Way opposite Jeff Bridges and as the horrible Reverend Dimmesdale in a PBS version of The Scarlet Letter in 1979.

He was later nominated for an Emmy for his role as a corrupt detective on hit mob series The Sopranos.

He was married three times, including for a short time to Superman actress Margot Kidder.

Tributes to the actor poured in from Hollywood stars after news of his death broke. Jeff Bridges, who starred with Heard in Cutter’s Way, described him as a “wonderful actor”, having got to experience “his artistry and dedication first hand”.

“My heart goes out to his family and loved ones,” Bridges tweeted. “We miss & love you, John.”

Devastated to hear of the passing of lifelong friend #JohnHeard. A complex and brilliant man and a true artist. I will miss him dearly. #RIP

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) July 22, 2017

https://twitter.com/MargHelgen/status/888765375906627584

Sad to hear of John Heard's passing.

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) July 22, 2017

Which movie do you remember John Heard from? Which was your favourite?