Anne Schedeen, 'ALF' Star Kate Tanner, Dies at 77
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- Anne Schedeen died at age 77, with her family announcing the news Sunday in a Facebook statement remembering her 'extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family… burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story.'
- Schedeen found her most famous role as Kate Tanner, the no-nonsense suburban mom hiding a crash-landed alien, on NBC's 'ALF,' which ran from 1986 to 1990 and was initially a ratings hit before being moved from Monday nights to Saturday and then Sunday, leading to cancellation due to declining viewership.
- The 'ALF' production faced major technical challenges because the title character relied on hand-operated puppets, a factor that compounded scheduling problems as the show's ratings fell.
- Schedeen built her career in summer stock theater before landing a recurring role on the NBC medical drama 'Emergency!' and guest-starring on ABC's 'Marcus Welby, M.D.,' where she played the daughter of the title character.
- Her film work included the 1976 sci-fi horror 'Embryo' opposite Rock Hudson and Diane Ladd, the 1983 drama 'Second Thoughts' with Lucie Arnaz and Craig Wasson, and the 1984 ABC soap 'Paper Dolls' with Lauren Hutton and Morgan Fairchild, which was pulled after 14 episodes.
- After 'ALF' ended, Schedeen appeared in Alec Baldwin's 1996 thriller 'Heaven's Prisoners' and had a recurring guest role on the legal drama 'Judging Amy,' with her career dialing down in the years that followed.
- Schedeen is survived by her husband Christopher Barrett, daughter Taylor Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, her sister Sarabeth, brother Roland, and other family members.
Why it matters: Schedeen's death closes a chapter on one of NBC's most distinctive 1980s sitcoms — 'ALF' remains a cult touchstone remembered as much for its ambitious puppetry as for its four-season run, and her portrayal of Kate Tanner was central to the show's domestic-comedy core. Her family's choice to spotlight her politics in the obituary also illustrates how personal tributes increasingly reflect the deceased's full identity, not just professional accomplishments.
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