NEW YORK — Actor John Heard, best known for playing the father in the “Home Alone” movie series, has died. He was 72. His death was confirmed by the Santa Clara Medical Examiner’s office in California on Saturday. TMZ reported that Heard, who lived in southern California, was found at a Palo Alto, California, 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 earned an Emmy nomination for a guest role as a corrupt police detective in “The Sopranos.” Heard also played Tom Hanks’ rival in the movie “Big.” Related ArticlesJuly 21, 2017 Chester Bennington died by hanging, coroner confirms July 20, 2017 Linkin Park singer dies at 41, band scheduled to play Pepsi Center in August July 16, 2017 Martin Landau, Oscar-winning actor who played heroes and villains, dies at 89 July 8, 2017 “True Blood” actor Nelsan Ellis dead at 39 He was briefly married to fellow actor Margot Kidder.