US actor John Heard, star of films such as 'Home Alone' and 'Beaches' has died.

According to celebrity website TMZ, the 72-year-old was found dead in a California hotel.

Police were called to the hotel, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He had reportedly been staying there after minor back surgery earlier this week.

Heard as Peter McCallister in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' | Screenshot/20th Century Fox

A Palo Alto Police Department spokesperson told People magazine: "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.

"The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time."

He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 1999 for his guest-starring role as Detective Vin Makazian on 'The Sopranos'.

But he is best known for his role as Peter McCallister in the 'Home Alone' films, alongside Macaulay Culkin.