View Full Version : ALF Child Star Benji Gregory Dead at 46


TVSCREEN2015
07-10-2024, 07:39 PM
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.

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

Gregory played Brian Tanner on 101 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 Force), the creature often cracked wise about human customs and was a cat lover — though not in the usual sense. The series moved nights often during its run but was No. 10 in all of primetime during its second season in 1987-88.

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

Benji 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.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/benji-gregory-dead-alf-child-star-obituary-1236006757/

TMC
07-10-2024, 07:40 PM
https://www.tmz.com/2024/07/10/alf-star-benji-gregory-dead-dies/

Benji Gregory, who starred as young Brian Tanner in the 1980s sitcom ALF, has passed away (https://deadline.com/2024/07/benji-gregory-dead-alf-child-star-obituary-1236006757/). He was 46.

The actor was found dead on June 13 in his car parked at a Chase Bank in Peoria, Ariz., according to TMZ. It is believed that he visited the bank the previous day and fell sleep, possibly dying from vehicular heatstroke caused by Arizona’s blistering summer heat. Gregory’s service dog Hans, who was with him, also perished.

His sister says he dealt with depression, bipolar disorder and a sleep disorder that kept him awake for days.

An official cause of death for the actor is pending.

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

Gregory rose to fame as Brian Tanner on ALF, which aired for four seasons (from 1986-1990) on NBC and produced four hour-long specials: “Try to Remember,” “ALF’s Special Christmas,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Tonight, Tonight.”

He also made appearances on Fantastic Max, Pound Puppies, Murphy Brown, Fantasy Island, The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Amazing Stories, The Twilight Zone and Mr. Boogedy. Additionally, he recurred on the sitcom Punky Brewster as an orphan named Dash.

On the film side, Gregory was featured in 1986’s Jumpin’ Jack Flash (starring Whoopi Goldberg) and voiced Edgar the Mole in the animated feature Once Upon a Forest.

Benji 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.

Co-star TV father Max Wright, passed away back in 2019 at the age 75 from lymphoma.

Alan Brady's Hair
07-10-2024, 10:50 PM
He was not a bad kid actor.

RIP

frazetta
07-11-2024, 01:37 AM
Rest in Peace.

BestTVever
07-11-2024, 05:29 AM
So sad. What a horrible way to die. The report I read is he died of heat exhaustion after falling asleep in a car outside a bank. His service dog died with him. That is so horrible. Why did no one see him?

king of comedy
07-11-2024, 08:28 AM
R.I.P.

stevea
07-11-2024, 08:37 AM
What a horrible way to die, and so young. RIP.

80s_Fan
07-11-2024, 09:31 AM
:(

I was truly shocked; when I read about this last night. It's also
so sad that he had to pass away at such a young age.

:(

Dude111
07-11-2024, 12:14 PM
Very sad indeed..............

icecream
07-11-2024, 01:03 PM
Apparently he was found dead on June 13 but it was just made public yesterday.

TVShowAddict
07-11-2024, 02:35 PM
That really sucks! He was a decent actor, rest in peace Benji

JamesG
09-14-2024, 03:10 AM
Benji Gregory's Cause of Death Revealed
by Denise Petski
September 13, 2024


The cause of death has been revealed for former ALF child star Benji Gregory. The actor was found dead in his car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, on June 13, along with his service dog Hans.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner determined Gregory died from heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis. His death was ruled accidental.

https://deadline.com/2024/09/benji-gregory-cause-of-death-alf-1236087190/

TMC
01-02-2026, 07:12 PM
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On June 13, 2024, former child actor Benji Gregory was found dead inside his car in a bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, after extreme heat exposure.

This video tells the true story of his life, from fame on the TV show ALF in the 1980s to his quiet and tragic final years.