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Home Alone star John Heard's 22-year-old estranged son Max died just six months before his father died at the age of 72.

The star was found dead in a hotel room in Palo Alto, California, on Friday, according to TMZ .

A family source told the website that Heard was found dead by the hotel maid service.

Police were called to the hotel after reports of a medical emergency, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The coroner is reported to be investigating the cause of death, which is unknown at this time.

(Image: Getty Images North America)

It comes just six months after his son Max died on 6th December 2016 - who he shared with his second wife Sharon Heard.

According to an obituary written by Sharon, Max "died peacefully in his sleep" and "was in deep grief of not having a father participating in his life".

They also had a daughter Annika together.

John also had a son John Matthew Heard with Melissa Leo - who he'd formerly been in a relationship with.

(Image: Rex Features) (Image: Rex Features)

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The Santa Clara Medical Examiner's office has confirmed his death.

TMZ also reports that Heard had "minor back surgery" on Wednesday and was staying at the hotel while he recovered, according to his rep.

Heard is best known for his role as Peter McCallister, the dad in the Home Alone movies, in which he starred alongside a young Macaulay Culkin.

Heard had a long list of credits, going all the way back to 1975, when he starred in TV movie Valley Forge.

(Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: WireImage)

He went on to star in Big, Beaches, and Gladiator.

He has a list of six upcoming productions.

Two of them - Living Among Us and The Tale - are listed as being in post-production and are set to be released this year.

Last Rampage is completed and also due to be released this year.

(Image: WireImage)

Short film Graffiti is also completed.

Imprisoned is in post production but does not yet have a release date and Broome Street Boys is still filming.

It is not known if Heard has completed his part.