Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg (known professionally as Benji Gregory; May 26, 1978 – June 13, 2024) was an American child actor and voice artist best known for playing Brian Tanner on the 1986–1990 NBC sitcom ALF.

Early life

Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 26, 1978. Multiple members of his family worked in the entertainment industry, and his grandmother worked as his agent. He was raised in Thousand Oaks, California, and began appearing in commercials when he was an infant.

Acting career

Gregory, beside his main role on ALF, appeared in several television shows which included Fantastic Max (1988–1990), Pound Puppies (1986–1987), Murphy Brown (1988), Fantasy Island (1978), The A-Team (1984), T.J. Hooker (1984), Amazing Stories (1985), The Twilight Zone (1985), and Mr. Boogedy (1986). He also made an appearance in the feature film Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). Gregory appeared as himself in the PSAs television series The More You Know, the children's game show series I'm Telling!, the "Salute to the 50 States episodes" of the game show Fun House, as well as on a kids episode of The Dating Game. Gregory made several appearances on the television sitcom Punky Brewster, playing an orphan named "Dash," and supplied the voice of Edgar the Mole in the animated feature Once Upon a Forest (1993), which would be his final acting role. He was scheduled to co-star in a Punky Brewster spin-off called Fenster Hall. The pilot/television-movie of Fenster Hall was never picked up for regular production.

Naval career

After graduating from school, Gregory enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2003 and became an aerographer's mate. He was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). In 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge.

Personal life and death

Gregory married in 2006 after completing his naval service. On June 13, 2024, Gregory and his service dog were found dead inside a car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. He was 46 years old. Pending an investigation of the cause, and allowing the family time to mourn, the death was not publicly announced until July 11. His sister said he had bipolar and sleep disorders, and likely died of heat stroke after falling asleep in his car. On September 13, 2024, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner revealed that Gregory died of both hepatic cirrhosis, with Gregory being revealed to have had a damaged liver, and heat exposure. The death was ruled accidental.

Filmography

Film

Television