It’s a sad day for fans of classic TV as the tragic loss of a beloved child star has shocked many.
Benji Gregory, who grew into the hearts of millions as Brian Tanner in the hit sitcom ALF, has died aged just 46. The news has left fans and loved ones in a state of disbelief as they try to come to terms with the untimely death.
About the actor who portrayed the lovable son of the Tanner family and best friend to the villainous alien ALF. Gregory’s untimely death not only cast a shadow over the television world but also left many wondering about the untold stories behind the life of the actor who, despite his early fame, led a life far from the public eye.
The popular alien-starring sitcom ran from 1986 to 1990, but will forever be remembered as an 80s pop culture classic.
Benji Gregory, who starred as a child on the hit TV show “ALF” from 1986 to 1990, has died. He was forty-six. His sister, Rebecca Pfaffinger, confirmed his death in an interview, saying that Mr. Gregory and his service dog were found dead in his car on June 13 in the parking lot of a bank in Peoria, Arizona.
To give the family time to grieve, they decided not to release the news right away. He died of heat stroke after falling asleep in the car, she wrote on Facebook.
Mr. Gregory’s most famous role was as Brian Tanner on the NBC sitcom “ALF,” which centers on a suburban family who adopts the mindset of a PG-rated assault comic to deal with “alien life with a Chewbacca-like snout.” form’ (hence the term). Brian is ALF’s younger brother and best friend.
The show would live on in people’s memories as a classic of 1980s popular culture, even though it officially ended in 1990.
In 2014, RadioShack created a Super Bowl ad in an effort to revive its brand. “The ’80s are calling, they want their store back,” said an employee in the ad as he watched helplessly as Chucky, Hulk Hogan, ALF, and Cliff from “Cheers” stormed the shelves.
That same year, a passenger wearing sunglasses dons an oxygen mask before fitting one around ALF’s mouth in a 1980s-themed Delta safety film.
“ALF” was not considered by most people to be prestige television. In 2013, Lenny Venito, a cast member of ABC’s short-lived alien-themed comedy “The Neighbors,” complained to The New York Times that his show was “getting a lot of comparisons to ‘ALF,'” suggesting that viewers thought it was the show tries to use a gimmick to make a lot of money. The Times called “ALF” “weird family TV” earlier this year.
However, his supporters remained sentimental.
For many years after the program ended, Thomas Cannavo of Jackson, New Jersey maintained an “ALF” fan club. According to a 1997 interview with The Times, his wife worried he might refer to his newborn child as “you-know-what”. The ALF bar named after the TV show was discovered in Sarajevo in 1992 as a result of the Times wartime reports.
In addition, in 2022, Mr. Gregory told the YouTube program “BTM Legends Corner” that he had received a significant number of letters from admirers, 80 percent of which were from Germany.
He recalled that his main responsibility on the show was to focus on the ALF puppet instead of Paul Fusco, who voiced the character and the puppeteer. “The interaction with ALF became quite natural” over time, according to Mr. Gregory. Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg was born on May 26, 1978, in the Los Angeles area and raised in Thousand Oaks, California. He appeared in commercials as a newborn.
His father, Gary Hertzberg, was a federal credit union examiner and his mother, Patty (Stenger) Hertzberg, was its manager. Gary’s mother, seasoned talent agent Estelle Hertzberg, also helped Ben’s career.
Mr. Gregory starred in a number of hit TV shows in the 1980s, including “Amazing Stories,” “Punky Brewster” and “The A-Team,” in addition to “Alf.”
His films include the 1993 animated film “Once Upon a Forest” and the comedy “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” starring Whoopi Goldberg as a lonely computer programmer in Manhattan. According to his sister, he left acting when he was still in his 20s to join the Navy and work as a meteorologist aboard an aircraft carrier until he was honorably discharged. He married and divorced while in the Navy.
According to his sister, Mrs. Pfaffinger, he was treated for both bipolar disorder and depression. In a later YouTube video, Mr. Gregory claimed to have met and stayed in touch with Max Wright, the actor who played his father on “ALF” and died in 2019. Mr. Gregory often posted on social media about addiction and mental conditions.
According to Ms. Pfaffinger, Mr. Gregory is survived by his mother (now Patty Golightly), father, stepfather Hal Golightly, stepmother Judy Hertzberg, and a brother.
Benji Gregory’s untimely death at the age of 46 shocked fans and loved ones and marked the end of an era for those who fondly remember him as Brian Tanner on ALF.
His role in the 1980s sitcom, which won the hearts of viewers with its unique blend of humor and sci-fi charm, cemented Gregory as a beloved pop culture figure. While ALF may not have been considered high-brow television, its influence remains undeniable, with fans continuing to celebrate its nostalgic charm, and Gregory’s portrayal of Brian is central to that affection.
Outside of his time on ALF, Gregory’s life was a testament to resilience, transitioning from child star to military service and later struggling with mental health issues, which he spoke openly about in later years. His struggles with depression and bipolar disorder, along with his mental health advocacy, left a lasting impact on those who followed his journey.
Although he retired from acting at a young age, his contribution to television, along with the warmth and humor he brought to his role on ALF, will continue to be remembered by fans around the world. Gregory’s passing may have been sudden, but his legacy, both in his work and in his personal advocacy, will live on. May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort in love and memories of a life well lived.