‘Alf’ Child Star Benji Gregory Dead at 46

Benji Gregory, the former child actor who played Brian Tanner in the 80s sitcom Alfdied at the age of 46.

The actor died on June 13, according to records from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, TMZ reported. His cause of death has not yet been determined.

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

Gregory’s relatives believe he may have died of heatstroke after depositing residual checks and falling asleep in his vehicle, TMZ reported.

Gregory played Brian, the son of the Tanner family, for over 100 episodes of Alfaired from 1986 to 1990. The sitcom chronicled the zany adventures of Gordon Shumway, nicknamed Alf (“Alien Life Form”), a hairy alien from the planet Melmac who crash-lands his spaceship in the Tanners’ garage. Throughout the series, the family takes Alf in and hides him in their suburban home to keep him away from the government’s Alien Task Force and nosy neighbors in California’s San Fernando Valley.

In addition to 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, whom Alf found particularly appetizing.

In addition to staying for all four seasons of AlfGregory has also appeared on several shows, including Murphy Brown, Team A, The Twilight ZoneAnd Punky Brewsteramong other TV spots.