Actor John Heard, 71, best known as the dad from “Home Alone,” died in a Palo Alto hotel room on Friday afternoon, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.

Heard was reportedly staying at the hotel to recover from back surgery he underwent at Stanford Medical Center two days earlier, according to a report from celebrity news website TMZ. A maid discovered the 71-year-old actor in his hotel room and called police, who pronounced him dead at the scene, according to the report.

The name of the hotel has not been disclosed, but Palo Alto Fire Department personnel responded to a medical emergency call at 2:11 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel at 625 El Camino Real, according to emergency dispatch.

The medical examiner’s office is investigating the cause of death and performed an autopsy on Heard Saturday morning.

Toxicology test results are expected to become available in the next three to four weeks, county officials said.

There were no signs of foul play in Heard’s death, according the medical examiner’s office.

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11 Comments

  1. sorry to hear this

    Back surgery doesn’t sound like a simple procedure to recover from

    condolences to his family and friends

  2. Why was he recuperating in a hotel and not in a hospital or a medical facility? Why is Stanford being so close-mouthed about this? And what’s the big deal about identifying the hotel? There’s something fishy here.

  3. Sally- maybe help wanted to recuperate info a hospital. Maybe it was outpatient surgery and he decided to rest info a hotel. Maybe stanford has nothing to do with the death. Maybe stanford had to abide by HIPAA requirements and cannot comment. Why are you trying to divert attention away from yourself?

  4. @Sally Wants to Know — “Why are you trying to divert attention away from <myself>???

    What do *I* have to do with this??? What do you think *I’m* trying to hide?? I’m not a doctor, nurse or the maid who found him.

    Get a grip. Bouncing recovering patients from health institutions ia a real problem. I read about the story the same way the rest of us did. I have had enough experience with Stanford’s CYA to remain skeptical when they “can’t comment” because they’re protecting the “privacy” of dead people.

  5. I don’t understand the urgency to release patients before they’ve recovered. Is it a bed shortage issue or just a money making scheme? Both?

    My dad was recently in one of the local hospitals (I won’t mention names) with an infection. He was released too soon, before the infection had healed. The hospital was full and my dad’s bed was needed for the next patient. Without proper nursing care, the infection – which turned out to be much deeper than supposed, became worse and he almost died. He was sent back to the hospital where he’s been for several months now. Maybe if they’d treated the infection properly in the first place my dad wouldn’t have had to spend 5+ months in the hospital.

    I loved John Heard in the movie “Big.” I’m sorry he died alone in a hotel room in Palo Alto. Condolences to his family and friends.

  6. Sally — exactly. You have nothing to do with this. Why don’t you wait for the facts to come out before you sling ridiculous accusations asst Stanford. You should become familiar with HIPAA regulations as well.

  7. For the speculators:

    There are X number of hotels in PA and the chances are he wasn’t staying at some ‘flea-bag’ lodging.

    Subtract (or disavow) those kinds of hotels and you will have a smaller number of possible lodging sites (perhaps 5 or less). Take into consideration proximity to Stanford Hospital, ease of accessibility and the number is now reduced even further.

    Put 2+2 together and you will have your answer. Simple

    Now it’s down to about 1-2 hotels.

  11. John Heard was a consummate actor. I always enjoyed his work and he seemed like a good, decent man. I especially liked him in The Milagro Beanfield War, Big and Beaches. Dear John, rest in peace.

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