Beloved ‘80s Sitcom Mom Dies at 77
Anne Schedeen, best known as mom Kate Tanner on ALF, has passed away at 77.
The family announced on Facebook Sunday that the actress had died. They wrote, "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. 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," the statement continued.
Before ALF made her famous, Schedeen had already built her career. She earned recurring roles on Emergency! and Marcus Welby, M.D. She also starred alongside Lauren Hutton and Morgan Fairchild in Paper Dolls, though the soap opera was canceled after 14 episodes.
ALF was a popular sitcom in the late 1980s, starring Schedeen, Andrea Elson, Max Wright, and Benji Gregory. Paul Fusco voiced the puppet, ALF. Kate Tanner, Schedeen's character, was the practical mom in the Californian suburbs, protecting her family from the government after an alien named ALF lands in their garage.
Schedeen spoke fondly of ALF. "I kept reading scripts. I almost got involved with one, then withdrew at the last minute. Then I read ALF. I said, ‘This is funny. It makes me laugh.' I met the people involved, I met ALF, and became more convinced I wanted to do it. That little alien made me laugh." The sitcom ended after four seasons and spinoffs.
Schedeen told the Washington Post in 1988, "I consider myself lucky," though she admitted that acting was not an easy journey. "I played in summer stock and did a commercial. Then I got signed by a big agent. Within a month I had a contract with Universal. I thought I'd come out here, take fencing lessons, drive a small Thunderbird and sit by the swimming pool. Instead, I was the daughter on Marcus Welby, M.D." she said.
After ALF, Schedeen continued to act in other roles and found enjoyment in her hobbies. She told the Post, "For years I've been able to make a wonderful living and retain my anonymity. It helped me hit the antique stores, which is a passion of mine. It's a little hard to bargain if the store salesman knows you're on a hit show."
Schedeen's cause of death has not been revealed. Her family said on June 14 that she "passed peacefully."
"But as she said, ‘I'm always with you.' And she's right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on. Raise a margarita in her honor," the announcement continues.
Her family has asked that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity in lieu of flowers.
The statement from her family concludes, "We all love you, Annie."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 11:05 PM.