Benji Gregory, Child Star of ‘Alf,’ Dies at 46

Benji Gregory, a former child actor and the star of the sitcom of the 1980s ‘Alf was dead. He was 46.

By Diego Ramos Bechara

Jul 10, 2024 08:59 PM

Benji Gregory , former child actor and star of the 1980s sitcom “ Alf ,” has died. He was 46.

His sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, told the New York Times that Gregory and his service dog were both found dead in his car on June 13 at a bank’s parking lot in Peoria, Ariz. Hertzberg-Pfaffinger also announced the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday, saying that the family believes Gregory had fallen asleep and “died from vehicular heatstroke.” She told the NYT that the official cause of death is still pending.

Gregory was Brian Tanner, the youngest child of the Tanner family In “Alf,” which follows an alien who lives with the Tanner family in suburban settings. Although his most well-known and well-known performance, Gregory also made several guest appearances on various TV shows throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as “The A-Team,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Fantasy Island” and “The Twilight Zone.”

However, his TV appearances were not just restricted to physical work. Gregory also provided his voice to characters from animated series, most notably “Fantastic Max,” in which he voiced Ben the character. Ben. Gregory was also a character in the PSAs in the television show “The More You Know,” the show for children that is a game program “I’m Telling!” and an episode of “Fun House.”

Following his first career with acting Gregory left Hollywood as he pursued different pursuits which included a stint in the U.S. Navy. In 2003, he enlisted and was promoted to Aerographer’s Mate. He specialized in oceanography and meteorology. He utilized his expertise to offer forecasts and alerts to ensure safety for sailors and aviation.

Gregory is assigned to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) throughout his time in the Navy. The year 2005 was the time he was awarded an honorable discharge medically of the Navy and got married Sarah Gregory shortly after completing his military service in 2006.

In the year 2000 Gregory got interviewed in 2000 by People in which he spoke about his work in the film “Alf,” saying, “The only times it felt like work was when the lights were on, and it was real hot.” He further said he recalled “climbing under the stage and messing around with the staff.”

Although he acknowledged that it was an “relief” when “Alf” was cancelled, since the actor no longer wanted to perform, he said his “didn’t regret any of it.”

Gregory was born Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg in Encino, Calif., on May 26 the 26th of May, 1978. His uncle, father and sister, Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, were all actors and his grandma was the agent for his. He was a film student in The Academy of Art College.