Some series manage to overcome time, and leave an indelible mark on the memories of the viewers. One of those productions was “ALF,” the quirky sitcom that debuted in 1986 and quickly became a phenomenon.
The show that told the adventures of Gordon Shumway, an alien from the planet Melmac who crashes on Earth and is taken over by the Tanner family, featured talented actors who were etched in the memories of those who saw the series.
What happened to these actors after ‘ALF’ ended?
Mihaly ‘Michu’ Meszaros Played Alien Melmac in ‘ALF’
The character of ALF, the friendly alien who came to Earth from the planet Melmac, became a television icon during the 1980s, but for a long time, the true person behind the suit was a mystery. Mihaly ‘Michu’ Meszaros, a Hungarian actor with dwarfism, was tasked with bringing him to life.
His talent led him to participate in fantasy films such as ‘Waxwork’ in 1988 and ‘Freaked’ in 1993. Sadly, Mezaros passed away in 2016 at the age of 76 after spending several days in a coma. The actor’s health deteriorated after a stroke, which significantly worsened his well-being.
On the other hand, Paul Fusco was instrumental in the character’s success. Not only was he the writer and producer of the series, but he also lent his voice to ‘ALF’, whose real name was Gordon Shumway.
Although the series ended in 1990, the memory of ‘ALF’ in popular culture lives on. Paul Fusco is still active in film and television production, and is a relevant figure in the industry.
Max Wright Played Will Tanner in ‘ALF’
Max Wright, best known for his role as Willie Tanner in the iconic TV series ALF, began his career in the mid-1970s spanning both television and film. Before gaining fame, Wright appeared in various television series such as ‘In Fashion’, ‘Red Alert’ and ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’.
He lived a career full of ups and downs. After his success in ‘ALF’, his professional life stagnated. He had cameos in hit series like ‘Friends’ and ‘Cheers’.
In 2012, National Esquire published an article titled “‘ALF’ Star Trapped in Crack,” which included compromising photos of Wright using illegal substances.
An adult film director stated that the images were real and corresponded to an adult home movie in which Wright was involved.
This scandal marked the decline of the actor’s career, which had already been marred by drunk driving arrests in 2000 and 2003. Wright’s life changed drastically when his wife kicked him out of the house, causing him to lose control of your life
After this scandal, Max Wright completely removed himself from the cameras. His last public appearance was in 2015, when he was photographed by paparazzi taking out the trash.
Wright died in June 2019 at the age of 75, a victim of cancer. In 1995 he was diagnosed with lymphoma and although he managed to recover several times thanks to treatment, he eventually lost the battle.
Anne Schedeen Played Kate Tanner in ‘ALF’
Anne Schedeen, remembered for her portrayal of Kate Tanner, saw her professional life take an unexpected turn.
Before joining ALF, she had some roles in productions such as Paper Dolls and Second Thoughts, but it was with the role of Kate that she achieved fame and recognition at the age of 37.
During the taping of the series, Anne went through an important personal experience: her pregnancy, which led to the inclusion of the character of Eric, the new member of the Tanner family.
Despite his fame, he decided to step away from acting after finishing the series. Although she later had some supporting roles, her true passion led her to reinvent herself professionally.
Anne found a new hobby in interior design, which she currently practices in Los Angeles. At 74, she is still active in this industry and devotes part of her time to charity. She became an ambassador for Holiday Heroes, an organization dedicated to supporting disadvantaged families.
Andrea Elson Played Lynn Tanner in ‘ALF’
Andrea Elson is remembered for her role as Lynn Tanner in the iconic 1980s television series The series captured the attention of viewers with the endearing adventures of this furry alien that took place in a typical American family.
After the show ended, Andrea took part in several productions, but found a new passion in yoga. In 1993, she married television producer Scott Hopper, which marked the beginning of a new stage in her life.
In 1997, she welcomed her first daughter, Claire, and gradually withdrew from the Hollywood spotlight to fully devote herself to her family and this oriental discipline.
Andrea opened her own yoga center called Yoga Village in Arroyo Grande, California, where she is dedicated to teaching and sharing the benefits of this practice with her community. Currently, she uses the pseudonym Annie Hopper and has completely left her acting career to focus on her personal life.
Benji Gregory was Brian Tanner in “ALF”
Benji Gregory gained international fame playing Brian Tanner from the age of eight to twelve in Alf, appearing in 101 episodes of the series.
Before this role, he already had small appearances in series like ‘Fantasy Island’, ‘The A-Team’, ‘The Twilight Zone’. After the series ended, his acting career was short-lived. He starred in some productions such as ‘Lady Against the Odds’ and ‘Murphy Brown’ and also lent his voice to the animated series ‘Back to the Future’.
However, his last work in front of the cameras was in 1993, when he was 15 years old. He moved away from show business and took another path. He studied at the San Francisco Academy of Art, California, and then enlisted in the US Navy, where he served until 2005.
Despite being out of the limelight, he always had a special affection for the character of Brian Tanner. On his Instagram profile, he has several pictures of ALF that he still signed for his followers.
On June 13, 2024, the 46-year-old actor was found dead in his car in a bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. Next to him was his service dog, Hans.
According to statements made by his sister Rebecca to TMZ, the former child star was diagnosed with depression, bipolar and had a sleep disorder that could keep him awake for days.
Source: univision
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
