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Actor John Heard Found Dead In Palo Alto Hotel

Jen Chung — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 08:30:00 GMT

John Heard, the film, television and stage actor, was found dead on Friday in Palo Alto, California. He was 72.

The actor had "minor back surgery" on Wednesday at Stanford Medical Center, according to TMZ, which reported that he was staying at a nearby hotel to recover. "Heard was found dead in a hotel by the maid service ... according to family sources. Police were called to the hotel for a report of a medical emergency, but he was pronounced dead on the scene." TMZ reports.

"Heard is survived by three children, Max, Annika and John," according to the Daily News. His son, John, with actress Melissa Leo, was at the center of a bitter 10-year custody fight which included Heard's arrest for slapping Leo in front of NYC police officers and being convicted of trespassing and telephone misuse.

Heard starred in dozens of TV shows and films like Big and The Trip to Bountiful. He was best known for his role as one of Kevin McAllister's forgetful parents in the Home Alone films and earned an Emmy nomination when he guest-starred as Detective Vin Makazian on The Sopranos.

He also appeared on Prison Break, NCIS and Elementary.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death, which is not immediately apparent. A call to the ME's office for further information was not returned as of publication time.

Singer & Actress Lena Horne Dies at 92

Zach Behrens — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:55:15 GMT

Actor and singer Lena Horne died Sunday in New York. She was "was the first black performer to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio and who went on to achieve international fame as a singer," according to the New York Times. She was 92.

"Horne achieved a place in the pantheon of female jazz vocalists and broke ground in Hollywood as an African American star in the '40s," noted the LA Times. MTV called her a "civil-rights icon."

Karl Malden, Dead at 97

Brock Keeling — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:16:12 GMT

Karl Malden, star of stage, screen and TV commercials, died yesterday. He was 97.

Born Mladen George Sekulovich; March 22, 1912 - July 1, 2009, this crusty-but-benign thespian could play second fiddle like no one could in such films as (Oscar, Tony), On the Waterfront, How the West Was Won and Patton. But for most of us, he will be best remembered on television as Lt. Mike Stone on the '70s classic The Streets of San Francisco

Malden also served as a spokesman for American Express, reminding members "Don't leave home without it," which helped plunge countless people into irrevocable financial debt.

Reportedly in bad health for over the last few years, Malden died at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles.

Check out some of Malden's finest work after the jump

A Streetcar Named Desire