Benji Gregory Dies: ‘ALF’ Child Star Was 46

Bruce Haring
·2-min read
Benji Gregory Dies: ‘ALF’ Child Star Was 46

Benji Gregory, best known for his acting work as a child star on the 1980s NBC sitcom ALF, was found dead on June 13.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the death but has not yet determined a cause. TMZ said he was found in his car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. His service dog, Hans, was also found dead in the vehicle.

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The actor’s sister, Rebecca, told TMZ that her brother suffered from depression and bipolar disorder and had a sleep disorder that often kept him awake for days.

Gregory played middle son Brian Tanner on more than 100 episodes of ALF, which aired from 1986-90. It followed the earthly adventures of a furry alien from the planet Melmac who crashes his spaceship into the Tanners’ garage. Nicknamed ALF (for Alien Life Form) and voiced by Paul Fusco, the creature often cracked wise about human customs and was a cat lover — though not in the usual sense.

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The series — whose main cast also included Max Wright, Anne Schedeen and Andrea Elson — moved nights often during its run but was No. 10 in all of primetime during its second season in 1987-88. You can watch the sitcom’s full first episode below via Shout! Studios, which acquired ALF distribution rights in 2022.

Born on May 26, 1978, in suburban Los Angeles, Gregory began his TV career at a tender age with mid-’80s guest roles on such as The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Punky Brewster, The Twilight Zone and Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories.

During ALF‘s run, he also voiced a character on Fantastic Max and later voiced Biff Tannen Jr. on the 1991-92 animated comedy series Back to the Future. He also appeared in a 1991 episode of Murphy Brown and had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1986 spy comedy Jumpin’ Jack Flash, starring Whoopi Goldberg. HE also appeared in commercials for the likes of McDonald’s and others.

Gregory left entertainment in 2003 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, later becoming an aerographer’s mate. In 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge from the Navy.

Gregory’s sister suggests donations in her brother’s name to The Actors Equity Foundation or the ASPCA.

Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.

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