Actor John Heard, who played the father in the Home Alone films, has died at the age of 72.

The US star, best known as Peter McAllister in the hit 1990 comedy, was confirmed dead by the Santa Clara Medical Examiner's office in California on Saturday.

According to celebrity website TMZ, the father of two was found by a maid in a hotel, where he had been recovering from minor back surgery.

Details of his death have not yet been released and his representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Image: Heard played irresponsible father Peter McCalister in the Home Alone films

The veteran actor had over 40 years' experience in Hollywood, from blockbusters like Big and Gladiator, to TV shows including The Sopranos.


He was nominated for an Emmy award in 1999 for his role as a detective in the hit crime drama.

But it is his part as Macaulay Culkin's irresponsible father in Home Alone and Home Alone 2 which remains his most iconic role.

Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie posted a photo of the actor in one of his most underrated roles, as a Vietnam veteran in 1981 movie Cutter's Way alongside Jeff Bridges.

Heard was married three times, including to actress Margot Kidder for less than a week in 1979, and had a son with actress Melissa Leo.

The cause of death is still under investigation.