Former child star Benji Gregory, best known for his role as Brian Tanner on the 1980s sitcom “ALF,” has passed away at the age of 46. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that Gregory died on June 13 in Peoria, Arizona, though the cause of death has not yet been determined.
TMZ first reported the news, revealing that Gregory was found dead in his car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, a suburb of Phoenix. His service dog, Hans, was also found deceased at the scene. Gregory’s sister, Rebecca, told TMZ that her brother suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, and a sleep disorder that often kept him awake for days. His Instagram bio also mentioned his struggles with “bipolar” and “major depression disorder.”
Rebecca shared that Gregory was an advocate for The Actors Equity Foundation and ASPCA, suggesting donations be made to these organizations in his honor instead of sending gifts to the family. Gregory was not very active on social media, with his last post dating back to April. In that post, he humorously lamented his dog Hans’ “tagging” phase, sharing a photo of water splattered on a sidewalk in Peoria.
Fans of Gregory took to the comments section of his last Instagram post to pay their respects. “R.I.P. Ben. R.I.P. Hans. My sincere condolences to your loved ones,” one user wrote, while another added, “RIP. We will miss you and Hans.”
Gregory grew up in Los Angeles in a family of actors, including his brother, sister, and uncle. He gained fame for his role as the middle brother Brian Tanner on “ALF,” which aired from 1986 to 1990. The show, which also starred Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, and Andrea Elson, followed the story of a furry alien named ALF (short for “Alien Life Form”) who crash-landed into the Tanners’ garage and was taken in by the family. Gregory appeared in 101 episodes of the classic sitcom.
After “ALF,” Gregory made guest appearances on several TV shows, including “Fantastic Max,” “Murphy Brown,” “Fantasy Island,” “The A-Team,” “T.J. Hooker,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Punky Brewster.” He also appeared in two films: “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in 1986 and “Once Upon a Forest” in 1993.
In 2003, Gregory left the entertainment industry and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from school to become an aerographer’s mate and was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson. He received an honorable medical discharge in 2005.
Gregory’s sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, shared more details about his passing on Facebook. She mentioned that the family believes Gregory went to the bank on the evening of June 12 to deposit some residual checks found in his vehicle but never got out of the car. “He fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke,” she wrote. At the time, Arizona was experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 108 degrees on June 12 and 111 degrees on June 13.
“Ben was a great Son, Brother, and Uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often. Still, going through his things, I find myself laughing at little videos or notes of his, in between crying,” Rebecca wrote.
Gregory was born Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg in Encino, California, on May 26, 1978. He grew up on camera, appearing in commercials and guest-starring on shows like “The A-Team” and “The Twilight Zone.” He also appeared in movies such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” with Whoopi Goldberg and “Never Forget” in 1991. However, he stopped acting around the end of the ’90s and later joined the U.S. Navy, serving at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Gregory often shared photos of his service dog Hans on Instagram, where he wrote about his struggles with bipolar disorder and major depression. “He gives me back so much love and tranquility,” Gregory wrote about Hans in a July 2022 post, “so I don’t mind the little bit of extra chores he requires.”
On social media, Gregory also spoke about his acting past and how he did not want to be solely defined by his role on “ALF.” In a resurfaced scan of a 2000 copy of People magazine, he mentioned that “it was a relief” when the series got canceled. “I didn’t want to do any more shows,” he said at the time, “but I don’t regret any of it.”
Gregory’s death remains under investigation, and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner has yet to officially determine the cause of death. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his fans and loved ones, who continue to remember him for his contributions to television and his advocacy for mental health and animal welfare.
Source: NBC, TMZ, The New York Times, E! News
