Benji Gregory, one of the stars of ALF, a show about an alien from the planet Melmac with a hunger for cats but also the ability to love them, recently passed away. If you’re of a certain age, you’re probably familiar with ALF, which ran from 1986 to 1990 and was at one point one of the most popular series on the NBC lineup.
Table of Contents
Who was Benji Gregory?
Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg, professionally recognized as Benji Gregory, was an American child actor and voice performer. Born on May 26, 1978, he passed away on June 13, 2024. He is most renowned for his role as Brian Tanner on the NBC sitcom ALF, which aired from 1986 to 1990.
Benji Gregory, famed for his role on ALF, has passed away at 46.
His older sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, announced his death on Facebook.
“It is with a heavy heart that my family has suffered a loss far too early,” she wrote about Gregory. “Ben was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle. He brought joy and laughter to our lives, and his presence was always a delight. As I go through his belongings, I find myself alternating between tears and laughter at the little videos and notes he left behind.”
Rebecca revealed, “Ben and his beloved service dog Hans were found deceased in his car on June 13. We believe he went there on the evening of the 12th to deposit some residuals, but he never left the car. He fell asleep and succumbed to vehicular heatstroke.”
Benji Gregory’s early life
Gregory was born in Los Angeles, California, and attended the Academy of Art University. His family had a strong acting heritage, with his father, uncle, and sister all being actors. Additionally, his grandmother served as his agent.
What made Benji famous?
The late actor gained prominence by portraying Brian Tanner in 101 episodes of “ALF” from 1986 to 1990. The show centered around the titular character — an acronym for “Alien Life Form,” though his real name was Gordon Shumway — who crash-landed into the garage of the Tanner family’s suburban home. Puppeteer Paul Fusco, who co-created the series with Tom Patchett, was responsible for the memorable performance.
In 2018, Warner Bros. revealed that it was in the initial stages of developing a reboot. However, the plans were scrapped later that same year after they were unable to secure a platform for the project. In February, Shout! Factory announced that it had acquired the rights to “ALF” and would be producing new related content.
- RELATED: Is Dj Khaled dead? Did He Died in a Car Crash?
- RELATED: All about Barbara Walters Legendary News Anchor who Died at 93
- RELATED: Actress Kirstie Alley has died at 71
- RELATED: TikTok Grandma Holla Died: The Heartfelt Legacy of a Social Media Savvy Senior
Naval Career
Following his graduation, Gregory joined the U.S. Navy in 2003 and trained as an aerographer’s mate. He served aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). In 2005, Gregory was honorably discharged for medical reasons.
Personal life
Benji Gregory married Sarah Gregory in 2006 while he was serving in the Navy. The couple later divorced. According to his sister, Ms. Pfaffinger, Benji struggled with bipolar disorder and depression, for which he received treatment.
Conclusion
Benji Gregory, famed for his role as Brian Tanner on “ALF,” had a life marked by early stardom and personal challenges. He served in the U.S. Navy, married Sarah Gregory in 2006, and later divorced. Despite battling bipolar disorder and depression, Benji’s legacy in the entertainment industry endures.
