(ProsperNews.net) – Benji Gregory, the actor best known for playing Brian Tanner, the pre-teen son in the 1980s sitcom ALF, died from environmental heat exposure and liver disease, according to the Maricopa Medical Examiner. Gregory, 46, was found dead on June 13 in his car in a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. His service dog, Hans, was also found dead in the vehicle.
At the time of his death, Gregory’s sister, Rebecca Pfaffinger, speculated that he had fallen asleep in his car on a hot summer day due to his ongoing sleep disorder. Gregory had long battled depression, bipolar disorder, and a severe sleep condition that sometimes kept him awake for days. The Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death was accidental, listing it as “environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis,” indicating Gregory was suffering from end-stage liver disease.
Gregory rose to fame as a child actor, starring in ALF from ages eight to thirteen. The popular show followed the antics of ALF, an alien who lived with the Tanner family, and Gregory’s character was a key part of the series’ charm. He appeared alongside Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, and Andrea Elson, who played his on-screen family members.
In addition to his role on ALF, Gregory appeared on numerous other TV shows during the 1980s, including The A-Team, Amazing Stories, TJ Hooker, Murphy Brown, and the remake of The Twilight Zone. He also played a part in the 1986 action-comedy film Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Beyond acting, Gregory lent his voice to the animated film Once Upon a Forest and guest-starred on the sitcom Punky Brewster.
Gregory’s career slowed down after his childhood fame, and he eventually left the entertainment industry. His family has asked fans to honor his memory by donating to causes close to Gregory’s heart, including the Actors’ Equity Foundation and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
The tragic circumstances of his death serve as a somber reminder of Gregory’s personal struggles, but his legacy as a beloved child star of the 1980s remains cherished by fans.
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