Benji Gregory was born on May 26, 1978, in Los Angeles, California. His full name was Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg, and he grew up in a family connected to show business. His father, uncle, and sister were all involved in acting, so it wasn’t a surprise when he started appearing in commercials at a young age. By the mid-1980s, Benji had become a familiar face on television, showing up on series like Punky Brewster, T.J. Hooker, The Twilight Zone, and Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories.
But the role that made him famous was Brian Tanner on the NBC sitcom ALF, which ran from 1986 to 1990. The show told the story of a typical American family whose lives are turned upside down when an alien life form, ALF, crashes into their garage and ends up living with them. Benji’s character, Brian, was the youngest son, curious, kind, and quick with a deadpan line that made him a fan favorite. The show became a cultural phenomenon, and for a few years, Benji Gregory was one of the most recognizable child actors on TV.
When ALF ended, Benji continued to work for a while, appearing in guest roles and voice-acting gigs, but like many child stars, his career slowed down as he got older. Acting didn’t hold the same pull for him anymore. He stepped away from Hollywood, preferring a quieter and more structured life. In 2003, he joined the United States Navy and served as an aerographer’s mate—basically a weather specialist—on the USS Carl Vinson. He served until 2005, when he was medically discharged.
After leaving the Navy, Benji lived a more private life. He was open about his struggles with mental health. His sister later confirmed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder and also suffered from a chronic sleep disorder. He loved dogs and often posted about his service animal, Hans, who helped him manage anxiety and depression. His Instagram profile summed up his interests with honesty and humor: “Lover of dogs, traveling, late-night runs, music, podcasts, Navy, bipolar, major depression disorder, GAD, ALF, VR, Nike, Cinema 4D, Creative Cloud.”
On June 13, 2024, Benji was found dead in his car in a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. Hans, his dog, was beside him. It was a brutally hot day—the kind of desert heat that can turn deadly in minutes. Early reports suggested that Benji might have gone to deposit a check, then fallen asleep in his car. Temperatures that day were around 109°F (43 °C). He never woke up.
The official medical examiner’s report later ruled his death as accidental. The cause: “environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis.” That means his liver was already damaged, which made it harder for his body to regulate heat. Combined with the extreme temperature inside the car, it was a lethal situation. It’s believed that Hans, who was always by Benji’s side, stayed with him until the end.
His family released a short statement through his sister, Rebecca, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. She said, “It is with a heavy heart my family has suffered a loss way too early… Ben was a great son, brother and uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often.” She also mentioned that going through his belongings brought moments of bittersweet laughter and tears.
Benji’s story is more than a tragic headline about a former child actor. It’s a stark reminder of what happens after the spotlight fades and the cameras stop rolling. Childhood fame can look like a dream from the outside, but it rarely comes with stability or peace. Benji found purpose in service, struggled with mental health, and leaned on his bond with his dog to get through life’s rough patches. His death, like his life, reflected both strength and vulnerability.
It’s also a warning about the dangers of extreme heat—especially for anyone dealing with health conditions, medications, or fatigue. Arizona’s summer temperatures can turn cars into ovens in minutes. Even a quick errand can become deadly. People often underestimate how fast heatstroke sets in, and Benji’s death adds to the growing list of victims of rising temperatures and overlooked risks.
He’ll be remembered most as Brian Tanner—the kid who shared the screen with a wisecracking alien and made millions of viewers smile. But beyond the sitcom legacy, Benji Gregory was a Navy veteran, a man who faced his mental health battles head-on, and someone who clearly loved his dog, his family, and small joys that didn’t make headlines.
His death is a loss not just for fans who grew up watching ALF, but for anyone who knows what it’s like to carry heavy things quietly. He had talent, humor, and heart, and he deserved a longer, easier life. What remains is his work, his service, and the reminder that behind every famous face is a human story that deserves empathy—not pity.