John Heard — ‘Home Alone’ Star’s History Of Violence

John Heard was found dead in his California hotel room at the age of 72 after "minor back surgery" — and the tragic "Home Alone" star left behind a brutal reputation as a "domineering" husband!

 Heard was a rising star in Hollywood when he married "Superman" heroine Margot Kidder in 1980. Instead, the marriage only lasted six weeks before she ran off with another man, telling tales that ruined John's reputation!

"She was in love with John right up until the day they married," a close pal told The National ENQUIRER. "She told me she couldn't bear living with him...He changed overnight from being a fantastic lover to a protective, domineering husband."

 "He seemed to think once they were married that suddenly he owned her," added the insider — and Heard's volatile ways soon had him on the outs as an actor. After a starring role in 1982's "Cat People," Heard was soon making low-budget horror films like "C.H.U.D."

He worked steadily through the '80s, but made more sordid headlines after attacking future Oscar-winner Melissa Leo. Heard had a child with the "Homicide" actress, and was arrested on assault charges in 1991 for allegedly slapping her.

The scandal was another fatal setback, and just as Heard found new fame with Tom Hanks in "Big" and as Macauley Culkin's dad in the hit "Home Alone" movies. Six years later, Heard was arrested for trespassing at Melissa's home in Baltimore.

Heard continued to work in small roles, and even scored an Emmy nomination for his role as a corrupt cop on the HBO series "The Sopranos." Sadly, the star's private life remained volatile.

The troubled actor made his final attempt at marriage with Lana Pritchard in 2010. The union, however, was as doomed as his marriage to Margot — with the couple divorcing after seven months of marriage.