Actor John Heard, known best for his iconic role as dad Peter McCallister in the “Home Alone” films, was found dead in a hotel. He was 71. The cause is under investigation.

The Palo Alto Police Department told PEOPLE that a man fitting Heard’s description was found dead at a local hotel.

“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 police spokesperson said. “The person was determined to be deceased. While still under investigation, the death is not considered suspicious at this time.”

According to TMZ, he was discovered by the hotel’s cleaning service.

The website states that John’s representative revealed that he had been staying in the hotel while he recovered from “minor back surgery” on Wednesday.

Heard’s acting career began in the mid-1970s in an off-Broadway play and he turned to film during the 1980s. He landed several lead roles during this time with “Chilly Scenes of Winter,” “Big,” “Heart Beat” and “The Pelican Brief.” He worked in the film “Awakenings” with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. Yet he’s best remembered as Macauley Culkin’s dad in the smash hit “Home Alone” franchise.

“Home Alone” was based the clever Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin. On the eve of a family trip to Paris, Kevin McCallister, played by Culkin, throws a tantrum his mother, played by Catherine O’Hara, tells him to sleep in the attic. The family mistakenly leave for the airport with Kevin and he, in turn, believes his wish for no family has come true. Then the excitement begins when two con men, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, choose the McCallister residence to rob. Kevin stands his ground to out with his visitors.

Heard was also known for his Emmy nominated role in 1999 for a guest starring role on HBO’s, The Sopranos, as Vin Makazian, a corrupt New Jersey detective.

Stars reacted to the news on social media. “Sad to hear of John Heard’s passing,” wrote actor Elijah Wood — who worked as a young boy with Heard in 1992’s “Radio Flyer.”

“John Heard- what a wonderful actor. We were in the movie Cutter’s Way together & I got to experience his artistry and dedication first hand,” said Jeff Bridges.

Jon Fletcher added: ” RIP John Heard. You will always be the dad I wish I had so I could accidentally be left at home and also end up in New York.”

“RIP John Heard,” wrote Oscar nominee Michael McKean. “Never not good.”

Heard recently made appearances on television shows like Modern Family and MacGyver. He had a number of upcoming film projects as well, according to published reports. “Living Among Us” and the “Last Rampage” with Heather Graham was in production.

“Every actor wanted to be as intense as him,” wrote actor Daniel Stern, who co-starred alongside Heard as the goofy robber Marv Merchants in the “Home Alone” franchise. “He was defiant, he was poetic, he was ridiculously generous and he was charismatic as hell.”

John is survived by his three children, Jack, Max and Annika.