Brian Tanner from ‘ALF’ Was Found Dead – What Happened to the Other Actors from the Sitcom?

“ALF” aired from 1986 to 1990, following the adventures of Gordon Shumway, an extraterrestrial nicknamed ALF (Alien Life Form), who crash-landed in the garage of the Tanner family.

The show’s blend of family sitcom tropes with sci-fi elements made it a unique hit. The recent passing of Benji Gregory has reignited interest in the cast’s fate. Let’s explore what happened to each of the main actors from this iconic classic.

Brian Tanner as Benji Gregory

The actor was born on May 26, 1978, in Encino, California. He came from a family of thespians, with his father, uncle, and sister all in the business. His grandmother even served as his agent.

As a veteran of dozens of commercials, Gregory literally grew up before the camera. After his debut on “Fantasy Island,” he guest-starred on popular shows like “The A-Team,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Amazing Stories,” and “The Twilight Zone.”

He also appeared in a TV pilot called “Fenster Hall,” a Disney movie titled “Mr. Boogedy,” a TV movie named “Thompson’s Last Run,” and the feature film “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

Eventually, he landed the role that would make him most famous. On the set of “ALF,” Gregory found the environment to be mostly enjoyable. He recalled that it never felt like actual work until they would turn the set lights on.

The young actor spent his downtime “climbing under the stage and messing around with the staff,” and formed a close friendship with his TV sister, Andrea Elson.

After “ALF” ended, Gregory stepped away from acting. He explained to People, “I was on a lot of stupid cartoons. Voice-overs are easy, and I wasn’t actively trying to act anymore.”

Instead, he pursued education, becoming a film major at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. At 22, he was sharing a house with three roommates and had a girlfriend named Sarah Hall, whom he met at college.

Gregory reflected on his time on “ALF” with mixed feelings. While he appreciated the financial security it provided, saying, “I can pay my rent easily—most of the money is still in the bank,” he had no desire to return to acting.

Instead, he expressed a wish to keep working in the entertainment industry, but he wasn’t sure how. Nonetheless, he said he wouldn’t be an actor ever again.

Tragically, Benji Gregory‘s life was recently cut short. His sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, announced that he was found dead in his car on June 13, 2024, at the age of 46.

The family believes the cause of death was heatstroke. Gregory’s sister shared a message on her Facebook, saying, “It is with a heavy heart my family has suffered a loss way too early. Ben was a great Son, Brother, and Uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often.”

According to the family’s statement, Gregory was discovered with his beloved service dog, Hans. They believe he went to deposit some residuals at a bank ATM on the evening of June 12 and never got out of the car.

The exact location is believed to be a Chase Bank ATM in Peoria, Arizona, though the specific branch is unknown. Fans have expressed their condolences online.

His cousin, Camille Jazzy Jenkins, expressed her feelings on social media, saying, “Oh how I never imagined having to share this news. In complete sadness and shock, our family has lost one of the most beloved and wonderful men in our small circle.”

She added that the family wasn’t doing okay, but they hoped Gregory was with his grandmothers. Jenkins also requested that her followers and friends keep the actor’s family in their prayers.

Gregory’s untimely passing serves as a reminder of the impact “ALF” had on its viewers and the lives of its cast members. But what became of the other actors who brought the Tanner family to life?

Michu Meszaros as ALF

The actor who donned the ALF costume for full-body shots was Mihaly “Michu” Meszaros, and he had a fascinating life story. Born in 1939 in Budapest, Hungary, he stood at just 2’9″ tall and weighed 25 pounds.

He began his career as a circus performer in Hungary before coming to America in the 1970s. Meszaros was billed as the “smallest man in the world” during his time with the Ringling Bros. circus. His manager, Dennis Varga, described him as “an unbelievable entertainer and wise guy.”

On “ALF,” Meszaros wore the full ALF costume for scenes that required the alien to walk or stand in full view. While he enjoyed the role, it was troublesome because it was rather hot inside the suit.

During his time with the Ringling Bros. circus, he headlined an act with poodles that stood taller on their hind legs than him. He also made a Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson, who became an instant fan of Meszaros at the age of 14.

After his run on “ALF,” Meszaros continued to act, appearing in various films and TV shows. He played circus performers in “Big Top Pee-Wee” and “Warlock: The Armageddon.”

Moreover, he portrayed a butler in “Waxworks,” and appeared as George Ramirez in “Freaked.” He also performed stunts in “Look Who’s Talking” and had television credits including “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Dear John.”

Meszaros became a U.S. citizen in 1990 and told the Los Angeles Times that it was the “biggest day” of his life. His influence was felt beyond the entertainment industry; in Hawthorne, where he lived, a tiny street was named Michu Lane and deemed the shortest street in the city.

Sadly, the actor passed away on June 13, 2016, at the age of 76, following a stroke. His unique contribution to “ALF” and his remarkable life story continue to be remembered by fans of the show and circus enthusiasts alike.

Andrea Elson as Lynn Tanner

The actress, born on March 6, 1969, in New York City, discovered her passion for the industry at age eleven when she played the lead in a sixth-grade production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Her family moved frequently due to her father’s job in advertising, which exposed her to different parts of the country before she was ten years old. Meanwhile, her career began with commercials and guest-starring roles on various TV shows.

While in San Diego, she got an agent and won the first part she auditioned for: a commercial. From there, one acting job followed another. She landed guest-starring parts on “Simon & Simon” and “Silver Spoons,” and a co-starring role in the series “Whiz Kids.”

Her big break came when she got the role of Lynn Tanner on “ALF.” The show’s success catapulted her into the spotlight and made her a familiar face on television screens across America.

After “ALF” ended its run, Elson continued to work, appearing in various hit TV shows and TV movies. However, she eventually decided to step away from the entertainment industry to focus on raising her family.

In recent years, Elson has shared a few glimpses of her life on social media, although she has stepped back from posting since 2015. But in 2014, the actress uploaded a photo comparison of herself as Lynn Tanner and a picture of herself with her daughter, captioning it:

“Here’s one for you! Lynn Tanner and then my sweet girl and me circa 2000 or so.”

She’s also shared moments from her family life, such as a photo taken by her daughter on her son’s 13th birthday, which she captioned, “It was requested that I post more pictures, so here we go! My daughter caught this moment on my son’s 13th birthday. #rivertime [sic[.”

Elson’s transition from child star to devoted mother reflects the journey many former actors take, finding fulfillment away from the cameras. She’s currently 55 years old.

Max Wright as Willie Tanner

The actor, born on August 2, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, was a veteran in the business with a career spanning decades. While he’s best known for his role as Willie Tanner, Wright had rich and varied roles, particularly in theater.

On “ALF,” he played the straight man to the wise-cracking alien, a role that came with its challenges. He admitted that he didn’t enjoy working on the show, telling People in 2000, “I was hugely eager to have it over with.” The technical demands of acting alongside a puppet and the long hours on set took their toll.

Despite his frustrations, Wright later acknowledged the show’s impact and how much joy it gave to people. He also recognized its comedic value, stating, “ALF was funny and full of invention. His movement was so expressive that once I actually could see the puppet blush.”

Even the sitcom’s creator, Paul Fusco, admitted that Wright had the hardest time, but there was “great chemistry” between him and ALF. On the last night of filming, the actor reportedly walked off the set without saying goodbye, grabbed his belongings, and left.

After “ALF,” Wright faced both professional and personal challenges to the point of even losing a job. Furthermore, in 1995, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. “It was very scary. I was sort of numb about it,” Wright recalled. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation and was cancer-free for five years.

Following his treatment, he returned to acting with renewed vigor. The actor appeared in the movie “Grumpier Old Men” and worked in theater, an experience he described as “electrifying.”

Throughout his career, Wright showcased his versatility as an actor. He was in numerous Broadway productions, including “The Great White Hope” in 1968, which marked his Broadway debut.

He earned a Tony nomination for his performance in the Chekhov play “Ivanov” in 1998. Wright also appeared in shows like “Friends,” where he played the manager of Central Perk for a few early episodes, and “Norm,” where he portrayed Norm Macdonald‘s boss.

His other film credits include roles in “All That Jazz,” “Reds,” “The Sting II,” “Soul Man,” and “The Shadow.” Tragically, Wright passed away on June 26, 2019, at the age of 75, due to complications from cancer.

He died at his home in Hermosa Beach, California, leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond his role on “ALF.”

Anne Schedeen as Kate Tanner

Schedeen, born on January 8, 1949, in Portland, Oregon, brought the character of Kate Tanner to life on “ALF.” Before the show, she had already established herself as a working actress, with roles in various TV series and films.

Her journey began on a farm outside Portland, Oregon. She started playing pretend “with teapots and flowers” at the age of 6 and took acting lessons at the Portland Civic Theater.

Her first gig was in dinner theater while she lived on the island of Kauai but that only paid for her living space and food. After studying at Portland State University and Fort Wright College in Spokane, Washington, she took off to backpack across Europe.

Upon returning to the United States, Schedeen settled in New York to pursue acting. She took on various jobs to support herself, including selling clothes, modeling, and working in summer stock theater.

Her breakthrough came when she signed with a big agent and quickly secured a contract with Universal Studios. However, the reality of Hollywood life was different from what she had imagined.

“I thought I’d come out here, take fencing lessons, drive a small Thunderbird, and sit by the swimming pool. Instead, I was the daughter on ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.,'” she shared, talking about her time in the series led by Robert Young.

Eventually, Schedeen landed the role of Kate Tanner. Her experience on “ALF” was a mix of professional challenges and personal growth. Being recognized on the street was a novelty for the actress, even as a grown woman.

On the show, she was the mother of the family and had to be a serious character, compared to ALF. She explained that while filming, the rest of the cast had to tone down the puppet’s antics. However, the Tanners’ “bland” personalities made the sitcom successful.

The actress also compared herself to her character and said that Kate was emotionally stable, while she could “become a lunatic.” She also admitted to being a lot more interesting than Kate because of her passion for painting, gardening, antiquing, and being with her animals.

Still, Schedeen advocated for her character’s development during her time on the show. She convinced the producers to give Kate a job to make her a more well-rounded person. When the actress became pregnant in real life, the show’s executive producer was delighted and wrote the pregnancy into the script.

However, Schedeen was clear about not using her own child on the show, mentioning the risks of being a kid star and how some children aren’t okay afterward.

After “ALF,” she continued to act sporadically but also focused on her personal life. The actress walked down the aisle to Christopher Barret, an agent, in 1982, and they soon welcomed one kid. She’s currently 75 years old.

Her journey from farm girl in Oregon to TV mom on a hit sitcom, and then to antique enthusiast and mother, showcases the diverse paths that actors can take after finding fame.

The cast of “ALF” brought laughter and joy to millions of viewers during the show’s run and in the years since through reruns and streaming on Max. Tragically, some members of this beloved ensemble are no longer here with us, and they’ll be sincerely missed.