Much-loved TV child star's cause of death after being found dead in his car aged 46

Andrea Elson, Max Wright, Benji Gregory, Anne Schedeen
 Alf - 1986-1990
-Credit: (Image: REX)


Alf child star Benji Gregory's cause of death has been revealed - three months after he tragically passed away at the age of 46 in an Arizona car park. Benji, who is fondly remembered for his role as Brian Tanner in the popular 1980s sitcom that ran for four years until 1990, was discovered dead in his car in Peoria, Arizona, on June 13. Tragically, his service dog Hans was also found deceased alongside him.

According to TMZ, the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has stated that the former child star's death was due to heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis. The scorching Arizona sun is believed to have contributed to his untimely death, and he also had liver scarring caused by long-term damage to the organ, as reported by the US outlet.

Benji
Benji passed away in his car -Credit:Instagram

At the time of Gregory's death, his sister Rebecca Pfaffinger confirmed the sad news and paid a heartfelt tribute to her brother, remembering him as "fun to be around". In a Facebook post, she wrote: "It is with a heavy heart my family has suffered a loss way too early. Ben was a great Son, Brother and Uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often.

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"Still, going through his things, I find myself laughing at little videos or notes of his, in between crying." She further explained the circumstances surrounding his death, saying: "My brother Ben was found in his car, along with his beloved service dog Hans, deceased on June 13.

We believe he went there the evening of the 12th to deposit some residuals (Found in his car) and never got out of the car to do so. He fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke." Benji had battled with depression, bipolar disorder and a sleep disorder that could keep him awake for days, Pfaffinger revealed to TMZ.

At the tender age of eight, Benji joined the cast of Alf as Brian Tanner. The show revolved around a middle-class family whose lives are turned upside down when an alien from planet Melmac crash lands in their garage.

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Alf ,  Anne Schedeen,  Max Wright,  Benji Gregory,  Andrea Elson
Benji was best known for his character Alf -Credit:Rex

The Tanner family welcome the creature into their home, who they affectionately name ALF an acronym for Alien Life Form. ALF, real name Gordon Shumway, is brought to life by a puppeteer and causes chaos while expressing his bewilderment at what he perceives as human stupidity.

Interacting with Alf became second nature, Gregory once shared on BTM Legends Corner. After the much-loved series concluded after 99 episodes, Gregory continued his acting career with roles in The A-Team, Punky Brewster, Fantastic Max, T. J. Hooker, The Twilight Zone, and Amazing Stories.

Coming from a family of actors, including his father, uncle and sister, Gregory also had film credits in Whoopi Goldberg's Jumpin' Jack Flash, and the adventure animation, Once Upon a Forest.

Actor Max Wright, actress Andrea Elson, actress Anne Schedeen and actor Benji Gregory
Benji suffered from depression -Credit:Getty

In 2003, he left acting behind and joined the US Navy, becoming an aerographer's mate. He tied the knot with his wife Sarah in 2006 after being discharged, but it remains unclear if they are still together. "I didn't want to do any more shows but I don't regret any of it," he previously confessed to People.

Pfaffinger has suggested making donations to The Actors Equity Foundation or the ASPCA in Gregory's memory, as these were causes close to his heart.