Benji Gregory has died

[AlfAlfa_26]

Last thursday, I learned in the news that Benji Gregory has died.
I had the TV on and was surprised that they showed clips of ALF(that is not very usual in Germany) in a tabloid news show I came across zapping. So I turned the sound on and was shocked by the news they presented: Apparantly, Benji Gregory died in his car, together with his dog, probably because he was asleep while the car was heatening in the sun. He died on June 13th, not a month after his birthday on May 26th. He was only 46 years old.

It will be a total different feeling the next time watching ALF, but at least Benji Gregory will forever be remembered through his role as Brian.

[ALF]

I am so heartbroken over this. He was so kind to his fans and always kept a PO box for people to write letters to. I don't know what he was up to in recent years, but 46 is just so incredibly young to go. What a huge loss. We'll miss you, Brian. Rest in peace.

[Adeline McQuack]

RIP Benji and Hans (his dog). You'll be greatly missed. Many condolences to his family and friends.

[Calmly Taken Flame]

First post, and to say how saddened I was to hear about this. I`d always held out hope, that ALF, Kate, Lyn & Brian
would be together again, in a brand new show, and to make us all laugh once more.

Heard about it on Saturday, and then the next day, Shannen Doherty passes, what a crap weekend that was !

I truly believe, he`s left this world, and has now joined Willie on New Melmac, and is causing a similar kind
of havoc, that ALF did, when he came to our world !

And all of us here, will meet them again, if we choose to.

[ALFicionado]

I was on vacation when I got this news, and was saddened and shocked. 46 is way too young. I loved him on the show. May he rest in peace

I am so heartbroken over this. He was so kind to his fans and always kept a PO box for people to write letters to. I don't know what he was up to in recent years, but 46 is just so incredibly young to go. What a huge loss. We'll miss you, Brian. Rest in peace.

Really? I had no idea. I don't think anyone here has reported getting answers from him or even writing him. Where did you hear this, did you have contact with him? I only remember Jeremiah having a brief stint of contact with him, trying to get an interview going with him, which sadly never materialized.

[ALF]

I remember reading it on his Instagram. He had said that he was going to close his PO box for good, but then changed his mind when he found out that so many fans were still interested in contacting him. I don't know of anyone who was able to contact him either though, come to think of it.

https://www.instagram.com/benji_gregory/

Good to see you on here again, by the way! Lots of talk recently by newer members hoping to get this forum going again.

[Admin]

Incredibly sad news...

I had a brief conversation with him on Facebook many years ago (late 2000's), and he was so much fun to talk to. He even sent me a couple "quiz" questions to see how big of a fan I was, which I still had a copy of that conversation. He even referenced one ALF episode that they started, but could not complete because it was too technical. Very respectful to a fan, and I'll always remember that.

[AlfAlfa_26]

Nice to hear that he seemed to enjoy reminiscing and talking to fans!
Now I´m curious: Could you tell us a little bit about that uncompleted episode?

[Calmly Taken Flame]

The more I hear about what an amazing person he was, the more saddened I am to hear he`s no longer with us.

How incredibly humble, and kind to respond to fans, so late in life, and when ALF was long behind him.

And having him test you with questions, to see how big a fan you are, is so awesome to hear ! What a legend !

Would also love to hear about this episode he referenced ! I`m guessing the technical issues, were another ALF fire, a BIG one !

[Admin]

The more I hear about what an amazing person he was, the more saddened I am to hear he`s no longer with us.

How incredibly humble, and kind to respond to fans, so late in life, and when ALF was long behind him.

And having him test you with questions, to see how big a fan you are, is so awesome to hear ! What a legend !

Would also love to hear about this episode he referenced ! I`m guessing the technical issues, were another ALF fire, a BIG one !

If memory serves, the episode involved teleportation.

[AlfAlfa_26]

If memory serves, the episode involved teleportation.

That sounds interesting! I wonder if the episode would have taken place in space. The booklet to the new DVD set by Shout!Factory includes two painted drawings to an unproduced ALF film from the 80s that could relate to this. Though no hints at teleportation is given there, one shows ALF in space at a space gas station. I had never heard of any plans for a film in the 80s before I read that booklet. Unfortunately, not any more information is given there.
I would have loved a book that included all the unproduced scripts and ideas. Would be very interesting to read while letting your imagination form the necessary pictures in your head.

[Adeline McQuack]

If it did involve teleportation, I could see two reasons why it didn't get produced. 1: It was probably too complicated or too costly to produce the special effects (unless the teleportation was done off-screen). 2: I remember reading the Oral History on ALF that Mental Floss did several years back, and one thing that was said was that Paul Fusco was against anything really sci-fi in the show. Teleportation does fall into the sci-fi category, so maybe the script went against the rules of writing for the show.

Wait a minute...as I'm writing this, I pulled up the Mental Floss article and read the part about sci-fi. I found a quote in which Paul does mention a script revolving around this idea:

Fusco: Those episodes were constantly being pitched. One time, someone floated the idea of ALF finding a ray gun, zapping Willie, and ending up in another dimension.

Also, pertaining to the booklet, I've heard that there were plans of a movie in the 80s. It would be based on Gordon's trip from Melmac to Earth. I think the picture of him at the gas station was for the movie. I also know about the other picture, which has Gordon and two humans (possibly Willie and Kate?) on some sandy planet. Not really sure where that came from.
I would love to know about all the script ideas. If a reboot/revival series is ever made, then possibly, with our current special effects technology, some of these concepts could come to life. It would be fun to see.

[Calmly Taken Flame]

A teleportation episode would have been fantastic ! To see ALF and a cast member(s) whisked away to a different world
would have had SO many possibilities, and could even have been a spin-off in it`s own right.

And each week, ALF tries to fix it, to try and get them home, but they keep ending up in new places, and everywhere but earth.

Could have been like Quantum Leap, where each episode ended, with them appearing somewhere new, setting up the next one.

If only they`d renewed it, this could have been a whole series, but I can see why Paul didn`t want it to go too sci-fi, the charm
of the show was it`s simplicity. Well, I say simplicity, but aside from working the pup....ALF ! It`s really simple in that it was just
ALF getting into all manner of situations, and pretty much always in the same place. No need for fancy effects or CGI.

And for me, the best effect I can recall in the show, was when ALF blew up the kitchen, and flew into the living room ! I had to
watch that in slow motion, and it was just someone in the kitchen, throwing what looks like a giant teddy bear, through the shutters.

And it worked ! take note modern film-makers, you can do just as much with daft props and a bit of thinking, no need for 95% CGI.

Wonder if Andrea would be interested in doing something with ALF, involving a different dimension, or even a bit of time travel ?

And just the idea, is setting my brain off, and conjuring up all manner of stories in my head.