The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office has concluded that the death of former child actor Benji Gregory was accidental. Gregory, who rose to fame in the 1980s for his role in the sitcom “Alf,” was discovered deceased in his vehicle in Peoria, Arizona, two months prior. The medical examiner’s report attributed Gregory’s death to environmental heat exposure, exacerbated by hepatic cirrhosis, a liver condition characterized by the formation of scar tissue that can lead to loss of function and cirrhosis.
Hepatic cirrhosis typically develops after a chronic injury, resulting in the majority of the liver tissue becoming fibrotic. This fibrosis can cause a loss of liver function and the onset of cirrhosis. In Gregory’s situation, the combination of environmental heat exposure and his pre-existing liver condition resulted in his premature death in June.
Gregory, who was known for his portrayal of Brian Tanner on all four seasons of “Alf” from 1986 to 1990, was found in a Chase Bank parking lot. He was 46 years old at the time of his passing. The medical examiner’s report, which was accessed by Page Six, confirmed that he passed away on June 13.
In a Facebook post in July, Gregory’s sister, Rebecca Pfaffinger, confirmed his passing. She shared that the family believed Gregory had gone to the bank on the evening of June 12 to deposit some residuals but never left his car. Pfaffinger wrote that her brother “fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke.”
Pfaffinger also shared some personal insights about her brother, describing him as a “great Son, Brother and Uncle.” She revealed that Gregory had been battling depression and bipolar disorder and suffered from a sleep disorder that often kept him awake for days.
In addition to his role on “Alf,” Gregory had guest roles on “The A-Team” and “The Twilight Zone” in the 1980s. He also appeared in a TV pilot, “Fenster Hall,” a Disney movie, “Mr. Boogedy,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” In 2003, Gregory left Hollywood to join the US Navy, where he served as an aerographer’s mate until his honorable discharge in 2005.
Gregory’s death follows the passing of his “Alf” co-stars Michu Meszaros, who played Alf and died in 2016 at the age of 76, and Max Wright, who played the father on the series and died in 2018 after a long battle with cancer.