Anne Schedeen - At 46: 'Alf'-Star Benji Gregory, mother of the series, holds Hollywood accountable
She was one of the most famous TV families of the 1980s and 1990s: the Tanner family from the US cult-sitcom "Alf". After the death of Max Wright, who played family patriarch Willie Tanner, in 2019 at the age of 75 from a cancer illness, the former child star and Brian-actor Benji Gregory was found dead under unexplained circumstances on June 13th. He was only 46 years old. His TV mother, US actress Anne Schedeen, spoke about the untimely death of her former co-star in an interview with the "Bild" Newspaper. She found touching, but also warning words towards Hollywood.
She was "devastated" and Gregory's fate was "a terrible loss", so the deeply mourning Schedeen. "I was just about to board a plane when the news popped up on my phone. It took the wind out of my sails and I was disoriented for a moment." They had remained in loose contact after "Alf" ended in 1990. The last time she had spoken to Brian and his mother was three years ago. "We had a very loving and positive conversation", said the 75-year-old. At the time, Gregory had seemed completely normal to her. The reason for the call: She wanted to invite him to a fan event, but he had rejected her: "Benji didn't want to have anything to do with Hollywood anymore."
Benji Gregory ended his acting career after "Alf"
After "Alf" ended due to declining viewership, neither Gregory nor his former TV colleagues were able to achieve the incredible successes again. Therefore, he pulled the plug and completely ended his acting career after a few smaller roles. Later, he joined the US Navy. However, he was dismissed due to medical problems.
It is not known what type of illness it was at the time. However, Schedeen apparently knew of problems. She remembered him as a sweet and professional child: "He was sweet and professional. He could memorize his lines and had many plush toys on set. He was the only child on set. That made him have to grow up faster than other children." This later caused him problems. Scheeden blames the film industry for his misery: "His psychological problems cost Benji his life. That confirms for me only that children do not belong in Hollywood sets."
Gregory was found dead in his car. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. According to his sister Rebecca, as reported on the US portal "TMZ.com", he could have died from heatstroke due to the high temperatures. His dog was also found dead next to him. Benji Gregory leaves behind his wife, whom he married in 2006. They lived in Arizona.
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- Following Max Wright's death in 2019, Benji Gregory, the former child star known for playing Brian Tanner in "Alf," passed away under mysterious circumstances at the age of 46.
- Anne Shedeen, who played Holly Robinson-Peete's mother on the series, expressed her sadness about Gregory's death and warned about the dangers of Hollywood's influence on child actors.
- After the end of "Alf" due to dwindling viewership, Benji Gregory struggled to achieve similar successes in his acting career and eventually decided to retire, leaving Hollywood behind.
- Reports from TMZ indicated that Gregory may have suffered from heatstroke and passed away in his car during a period of high temperatures, with his dog also found deceased nearby.
