John Heard, the Hollywood actor best known for roles in Home Alone and Gladiator, has died aged 72.

His cause of death was not immediately known.

Mr Heard’s body was found in a hotel in Palo Alto, California, by maid services. He had reportedly been staying at the hotel after “minor back surgery” this week.

Police were reportedly called, but Mr Heard was pronounced dead on the scene.

“I can confirm that our officers responded with the fire department to a hotel in our city yesterday on a report of a person in need of medical aid,” a police spokesperson, who indicated a man matching Mr Heard’s description was found, told People magazine. “The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time.”

In addition to Home Alone and Gladiator, Mr Heard had appeared in numerous other films and television series, including The Sopranos and Miami Vice. He was also in the movies Beaches, Pelican Brief and the first Sharknado movie.

Mr Heard was nominated for an Emmy in 1999 for his role in The Sopranos.

The coroner is investigating the cause of his death.