Benji Gregory, Star of Eighties Sitcom ‘Alf,’ Dead at 46

The actor played Brian on the beloved television series following the Tanner family and the titular alien

Benji Gregory, the former child actor who starred as Brian Tanner in Eighties sitcom Alf, has died at the age of 46.

The actor died on June 13, according to Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office records, TMZ reported. His cause of death is pending.

The former child star was found dead in his car at a parking lot outside of a bank in Peoria, Arizona, his sister Rebecca told the outlet. His sister said that he had suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, and a sleep disorder. She added that Benji was with his service dog, a pug named Hans, who also died.

Those close to Gregory believe he may have died of a heatstroke after depositing residual checks and falling asleep in his vehicle, TMZ reported.

Gregory played Brian, the son of the Tanner family, for more than 100 episodes of Alf, which ran from 1986 to 1990. The sitcom captured the kooky adventures of Gordon Shumway, nicknamed Alf (“Alien Life Form”), a furry alien from the planet Melmac who crashes his spaceship into the Tanners’ garage. Throughout the series, the family takes in Alf and hides him in their suburban home from the government’s Alien Task Force and nosy neighbors in California’s San Fernando Valley.

Along with Gregory’s character, the family included social worker Willie (Max Wright), his wife Kate (Anne Schedeen), their daughter Lynn (Andrea Elson), and their cat Lucky, who Alf found particularly appetizing.

In addition to staying on for all four seasons of Alf, Gregory also featured in several shows including Murphy Brown, The A-Team, The Twilight Zone, and Punky Brewster, among other television spots.