Anne Schedeen, who played Kate Tanner in 'ALF', dies at 77, family remembers her 'burning hatred for Trump' in tribute
Anne Schedeen, the American actress best known as the no-nonsense mom Kate Tanner on the beloved sitcom 'ALF', has died at the age of 77, her family said Sunday. They remembered her as a 'force of nature' with a 'whip smart humor' and, unusually, a 'burning hatred for Trump.'
Family confirms death
Anne Schedeen died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, her family wrote in a Facebook post. No cause of death was disclosed. She was 77. The family described her as a "force of nature" who left "an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story." Her husband of 55 years, Christopher Barrett, daughter Taylor Barrett, and other relatives survive her.
She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story. We are bereft without her.
The post asked fans to "raise a margarita" in her memory, calling it a fitting tribute for an artist who loved a good tale and a sharp joke. Donations in her name were directed to Habitat for Humanity, one of her favored charities.
'ALF' fame
Schedeen was catapulted to international recognition as Kate Tanner, the pragmatic suburban mother whose household was upended by ALF, a furry, sarcastic extraterrestrial from the planet Melmac who crash-landed in their garage. The NBC sitcom ran from 1986 to 1990 and drew millions of viewers weekly. In an industry known for high-stress sets, Schedeen later called the show a "technical nightmare" due to the hand-operated puppet that required grueling 20- to 25-hour shoots for a single 30-minute episode. Yet she found the absurdity endearing. "I met ALF and was more convinced I wanted to do it. This little alien made me laugh," she recalled in an interview cited by the Hollywood Reporter.
I met the people involved, I met ALF, and I was more convinced that I wanted to do it. This little alien made me laugh.
Before and after the Tanner living room
Born Luanne Ruth Schedeen on January 8, 1949, in Portland, Oregon, she trained in theater and moved to New York before eventually settling in Los Angeles. She landed her first on-screen role on "The Six Million Dollar Man" in 1974, quickly followed by guest spots on "The Bionic Woman," "The Incredible Hulk," "Magnum, P.I.," and "Cheers." Her film credits include the 1976 sci-fi horror "Embryo" and 1983's "Second Thoughts." After "ALF" ended, Schedeen worked only sporadically, appearing in the 1996 thriller "Heaven's Prisoners" and later as a recurring guest on "Judging Amy." She increasingly turned to her passion for antiques, working as a dealer and interiors stylist.
Social media tribute
The announcement swiftly drew reactions from fans who recalled the show that defined a slice of 1980s television. The French daily "20minutes" noted that her death revives the memory of other ALF cast members who died earlier: Benji Gregory (Brian Tanner) in 2024 and Max Wright (Willie Tanner) in 2019. Schedeen's family ended their note with a simple message: "We loved her so so much, as did all who met her."
She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it.
