Per an update obtained by PEOPLE, the cause of death for former child actor Benji Gregory, known for his role on ALF, has been confirmed. Gregory, 46, was found deceased in his car on June 13 in Peoria, Arizona. According to records from the Maricopa Medical Examiner, his death was ruled accidental. The report states that Gregory succumbed to “environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis.”
The Mayo Clinic defined cirrhosis as “severe scarring of the liver. This serious condition can be caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis or chronic alcoholism. Each time your liver is injured — whether by excessive alcohol consumption or another cause, such as infection — it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis gets worse, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to do its job. Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening.The liver damage caused by cirrhosis generally can’t be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the underlying cause is treated, further damage can be limited. In rare cases, it may be reversed.”
Former child star, Benji Gregory, has passed away at age 46. He was best known for his role in “ALF.”
His body was found on June 13, inside his car, next to his service dog Hans. His car was parked at Chase Bank in Peoria, Arizona. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
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According to TMZ, Gregory’s sister Rebecca said her brother “suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and had a sleep disorder that often kept him awake for days.”
It is speculated that Gregory may have gone to the bank to “deposit residual checks,” then fell asleep in his car in the intense Arizona summer weather. While asleep, he would have died of heatstroke.
Benji Gregory, born Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg on May 26, 1978, in Los Angeles, California, is an actor best known for his role as Brian Tanner on the hit sitcom “ALF.” Gregory’s career in the entertainment industry began at an early age, influenced by his family, many of whom were also involved in show business. His uncle, Tony Gregory, was a talent agent, and his aunt, Natalie Gregory, was a child actress.
Gregory’s acting career took off in the early 1980s with guest appearances on popular television shows such as “Fantasy Island,” “The A-Team,” “T.J. Hooker,” and “The Twilight Zone.” However, it was his role as Brian Tanner, the youngest kid in the family on “ALF,” that made him popular. “ALF,” which aired from 1986 to 1990, centered around a friendly alien named ALF (Alien Life Form) who crashes into the Tanner family’s garage and becomes a part of their household.
After “ALF” ended, Gregory continued to work in television and film, although his roles were less known than his time on “Alf”. He made guest appearances on shows like “Murphy Brown” and “Fantastic Max” and was a vocal actor in animated series such as “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” and “Batman: The Animated Series.” Despite his continued work in the industry, Gregory slowly moved away from acting in the mid-1990s.
In the years following his acting career, Gregory chose to live a more private life, largely stepping out of the public eye. He joined the U.S. Navy in 2003. In recent years, Gregory has largely maintained his privacy, choosing to lead a quieter life away from Hollywood. Despite this, his legacy as a beloved child actor from one of television’s most fun shows endures. “ALF” fans continue to celebrate his work.
Rest In Peace