The Tragic Loss of Benji Gregory, Star of the 80s Hit Sitcom “ALF”
Benji Gregory, the talented child actor known for his role as Brian Tanner in the beloved 1980s sitcom “ALF,” tragically passed away in June. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner recently revealed the official cause of his death.
Gregory and his service dog Hans were discovered deceased in his car at an Arizona bank parking lot on June 13. It is believed that he fell asleep in the vehicle and succumbed to heatstroke.
The medical examiner concluded that Gregory’s death was accidental, caused by “environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis.” Hepatic cirrhosis is a form of liver damage often associated with heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a severe condition that can lead to organ failure. With rising temperatures in Arizona, the interiors of vehicles can become dangerously hot, posing a significant risk, especially during the summer months.
Unfortunately, numerous deaths have already been linked to individuals, particularly children, being left unattended in cars this year. As of September 13, 2024, Maricopa County has reported hundreds of heat-related fatalities.
Gregory’s sister shared with TMZ that he battled with depression, bipolar disorder, and a sleep disorder that often kept him awake for days on end.
At the age of 46, Gregory rose to fame playing Brian Tanner on NBC’s “ALF” when he was just 8 years old. The popular show centered around a suburban family who welcomes a fuzzy alien, ALF, into their home after he crash-lands on Earth. The series aired from 1986 to 1990. Gregory also made appearances on other hit shows of the 80s, such as “The A-Team,” “T.J. Hooker,” and “The Twilight Zone.” He even lent his voice to Biff Tannen Jr. in the animated “Back to the Future” series.
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