'ALF' star Benji Gregory's cause of death revealed
What's the story
Three months after his untimely death, the cause of former Hollywood child actor Benji Gregory's demise has been disclosed. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner reported that Gregory, who was found dead in his car in a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, succumbed to "environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis." The star was 46 years old at the time of his death.
Accident confirmed
Gregory's death ruled as accidental
The medical examiner's report has classified the manner of Gregory's death as accidental. The actor was discovered deceased in his vehicle on June 13, along with his service dog, Hans, who was also found dead. The news of Gregory's passing was confirmed by his former brother-in-law Max Pfaffinger to Fox News Digital in July.
Family grief
Family mourns Gregory's unexpected loss
Gregory's sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, first announced his death in a social media post on July 10. She expressed her family's grief over the loss of Gregory, describing him as a "great Son, Brother and Uncle." Hertzberg-Pfaffinger also shared that going through Gregory's belongings brought both laughter and tears to the family. She revealed that they believe he went to deposit residuals on June 12 but never left his car.
Career highlights
Gregory's early start in television career
Born on May 26, 1978, in Los Angeles, Gregory began his television career at a young age. He made appearances on popular shows such as The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Punky Brewster, and The Twilight Zone. Additionally, he had guest roles in Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories and a 1991 episode of Murphy Brown. His film credits include a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1986 spy comedy Jumpin' Jack Flash and commercials for McDonald's, among others.
Legacy
Gregory's notable role in 'ALF' and other works
Gregory is best remembered for his role as Brian Tanner on the hit sitcom ALF, which aired from 1986 to 1990. During this period, he also lent his voice to a character on Fantastic Max. Post-ALF, Gregory voiced Biff Tannen Jr. in the 1991-92 animated comedy series Back to the Future and Edgar the Mole in the 1993 animated feature Once Upon a Forest. The latter appears to be his last known credit.
Post-Acting career
Gregory's life after leaving the entertainment industry
After leaving the entertainment industry in the early 2000s, Gregory enlisted in the US Navy. He later served as an aerographer's mate. In 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge from his duties. His departure from acting and subsequent military service marked a significant shift in his career path, demonstrating a diverse range of pursuits beyond his early fame as a child actor. May he rest in peace.