Daniel Stern on Saturday wrote a lengthy tribute for his dear friend John Heard, who died unexpectedly Friday at the age of 71.
The two men were close and had known each other for many years. They would eventually go on to be castmates in the massive 1990 box-office hit Home Alone.
Stern pointed out his character Marv never had any scenes with Heard’s Peter McCallister, but they would see one another on set from time to time.
Stern wrote that it was Heard who inspired him to be a film actor and he considered himself to be the late actor’s “kid brother.”
When Stern was struggling financially as he was trying to break into the business, it was Heard who would take both Stern and his wife out to a nice dinner.
“Too bad his theater performances are gone with the wind because he was riveting on stage,” Stern wrote. “But nothing was more intense than John’s performance in life. He lived it hard, fast and fearlessly. He was a romantic and a raconteur. He was as loyal and generous as they come. He was a friend and a brother and a legend in his time.”
Earlier in the day, Stern’s son, state Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calif.), also expressed his heartbreak over the news.
“Sad to see an old friend pass too young,” the younger Stern said.
See both posts below:
