Former ALF Child Star Benji Gregory's Cause of Death Revealed

The cause of death of former ALF child star, Benji Gregory, has been revealed by authorities several months after his passing. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has stated that Benji's death was accidental. The actor, best known for playing Brian Tanner in all four seasons of ALF from 1986 to 1990, died on June 10 at the age of 46. The office has attributed his death to "environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis."

The tragic incident occurred when Benji was found dead in his car at a bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, as confirmed by his sister, Rebecca Pfaffinger, who shared the news on Facebook in July. According to Rebecca, Benji had gone to the bank to deposit some residuals but never got out of the car to complete the transaction. He fell asleep and ultimately succumbed to vehicular heatstroke. Sadly, Benji's service dog, Hans, also passed away in the car.

Benji had been open about his battles with bipolar disorder and often shared glimpses of his life with his beloved dog, Hans, on Instagram. In a post from July 2022, he mentioned taking Hans in to get shaved and spoke about the comfort and love the pug provided, despite the extra care he required.

Although Benji achieved fame through his role in ALF, he didn't want to be defined by it. In a 2000 interview with People magazine, he expressed relief when the show was canceled, saying, "I didn't want to do any more shows, but I don't regret any of it." He acknowledged the financial security the show brought him and his ability to pay his rent easily, but he had no desire to continue acting.

Benji's passing is a heartbreaking loss for his family, friends, and fans. His contributions to the entertainment industry will always be remembered, and his time as Brian Tanner on ALF will remain a cherished part of his legacy.