What Happened to Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg?

Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg, professionally known as Benji Gregory, was born on May 26, 1978, in Los Angeles, California, into a family with ties to the entertainment industry. He began his acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and guest-starring in various television shows such as "The A-Team," "Punky Brewster," "The Twilight Zone," and "Amazing Stories." His most prominent role came in 1986 when he was cast as Brian Tanner, the youngest son in the NBC sitcom "ALF," a role he held for all 101 episodes until the show concluded in 1990.

After "ALF" ended, Gregory continued acting briefly, including a voice role in the 1993 animated film "Once Upon a Forest," which marked his final acting credit. He expressed a desire to leave the entertainment business, stating in a 2000 interview that he was relieved when "ALF" was canceled as he no longer wished to pursue acting. Gregory sought a life outside of Hollywood, enrolling at the Academy of Art College around 2000.

In 2003, Gregory enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an aerographer's mate and was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). He received an honorable medical discharge in 2005, reportedly due to struggles with mental health, including bipolar disorder and a sleep disorder. Following his military service, he married Sarah Anne Hall in 2006, though they later divorced.

Benji Gregory was found dead on June 13, 2024, at the age of 46, inside his car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. His service dog, Hans, was also found deceased. His sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, publicly confirmed his death on July 10, 2024, and suggested he likely died from vehicular heatstroke after falling asleep in his car during an intense Arizona heat wave. On September 13, 2024, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office officially ruled his death accidental, citing hepatic cirrhosis and heat exposure as the causes.