Michu Meszaros, Actor Who Played ALF in Eighties' TV Show, Dies at 76

Los Angeles: Actor Michu Meszaros, the 33-inch-tall actor and former circus performer who played the role of the titular alien in the eighties' NBC sitcom ALF, has died, said his manager, reported hollywoodreporter.com. He was 76.

Mr Meszaros died at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, California, said manager Dennis Varga.

A few days ago, the actor had been found unresponsive in his home in nearby Hawthorne that he shared with his manager.

Mr Meszaros sported the furry, dog-like costume with the big snoot on ALF, which aired for four seasons (1986-90), in a handful of the show's 102 episodes.

Most of the time, the extra-terrestrial character ALF (an acronym for Alien Life Form), when seen on the series, was a puppet piloted by the show's co-creator, Paul Fusco.

Born in a village near Budapest, Hungary, Mr Meszaros started performing in the circus at age 14 and joined Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1973.

Late pop legend Michael Jackson saw him perform and they became close friends and appeared together in a soft drink commercial.