ALF actor Benji Gregory dead at age 46: Suspected cause of death revealed

Alf actor Benji Gregory has died. Photo / NBC

WARNING: This story discusses mental illness.

ALF actor Benji Gregory has died aged 46.

Gregory was a child star best known for playing Brian Tanner on the alien puppet sitcom ALF which was a huge hit when it ran from 1986 to 1990.

The 46-year-old was found dead in his car alongside his service dog Hans at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, on June 13, but his death only emerged publicly on Wednesday night.

Gregory’s sister Rebecca told TMZ the actor had suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and was afflicted by an insomnia disorder that often kept him awake for days.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed Gregory’s death, but have not yet determined a cause.

TMZ reported: “Those close to Benji believe he went to the bank to deposit residual cheques on the 12th, fell asleep in his car and tragically died from vehicular heatstroke due to Arizona’s intense summer heat.

”Benji was with his service dog Hans, and the animal also died.”

Benji Gregory was with his service dog when he passed away. Photo / Instagram, @benji_gregory

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office said Gregory’s cause of death is still pending.

Rebecca told TMZ Gregory’s family is “grieving a great loss” and she “appreciates everyone’s thoughts and kind words”.

She wants donations in Gregory’s memory to be made to either The Actors Equity Foundation or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Gregory starred in 101 episodes of NBC’s ALF – the plot of which told of the middle-class Tanner family who take in alien ALF after he crash-lands in their garage.

The series shows the Tanners struggling to hide the extraterrestrial from nosy neighbours and government officials.