‘ALF’ star Anne Schedeen dies at 77 as family honours her legacy

Anne Schedeen, the actress best known for her role as Kate Tanner on the classic 1980s sitcom ALF, has died at the age of 77.

Schedeen’s family announced the news through her official Facebook page, sharing that the actress passed away peacefully and asking fans to celebrate her life by “raising a margarita in her honor.”

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully,” her family wrote.

They remembered Schedeen as someone with an “extraordinary legacy of creative energy,” highlighting her sharp humor, love for family, passion for storytelling, artwork and her affection for rescue dogs.

“We are bereft without her. We loved her so so much, as did all who met her,” the statement continued.

A cause of death has not been revealed.

Her family described Schedeen as a “force” and said it was difficult to imagine life without her, while noting that her memories, artwork, handmade jewelry, paintings, sculptures and laughter would continue to live on.

Schedeen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Christopher Barrett, daughter Taylor Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, brother Roland “Tony” Schedeen, other relatives, friends and her rescue dogs Roo and Red.

The family also requested that, instead of flowers, fans consider donating to Habitat for Humanity, one of Schedeen’s favorite causes.

Born with a passion for performing, Schedeen began her career through local theater before moving to New York to pursue acting professionally.

She later recalled the challenges of building a career, working various jobs before landing major opportunities.

Her early television appearances included roles in shows such as Marcus Welby, M.D., Emergency!, Paper Dolls and Simon and Simon before she became a household name as Kate Tanner on ALF.

The sitcom, which ran from 1986 to 1990, followed an alien named ALF who arrives on Earth and becomes part of a suburban family’s life.

Schedeen’s portrayal of the Tanner family matriarch made her one of the show’s most recognizable faces.

Although she loved working with the character of ALF, Schedeen previously admitted that filming the series could be challenging.

She described the production process as slow and demanding, explaining that scenes involving the puppet character often required lengthy shooting schedules.

“It was extremely slow, hot and tedious,” she said in a past interview with PEOPLE.

Despite the challenges behind the scenes, Schedeen’s role as Kate Tanner remains a memorable part of 1980s television history.