ALF Actress Anne Schedeen Dies at 77

Anne Schedeen, the actress best known for her role as matriarch Kate Tanner on the hit 1980s sitcom "ALF," has died. She was 77. Her family announced her death in a statement posted to her official Facebook page on Sunday, June 14, 2026, stating she passed away peacefully. No cause of death was given.

In their tribute, her family described her as "a force" and asked friends and fans to "raise a margarita in her honor." The statement highlighted her "creative energy, whip-smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, passion for secondhand thrifting, and love for a good story." She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Christopher Barrett, her daughter Taylor Barrett, and other immediate family members. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Born Luanne Ruth Schedeen on January 8, 1949, in Portland, Oregon, Schedeen began acting as a child at the Portland Civic Theatre. After studying at Portland State University and Fort Wright College, she moved to New York to pursue a professional career. She told The Washington Post she worked various jobs, including modeling, before signing a contract with Universal....