Hungarian-born performerMihaly “Michu” Meszaros, who portrayed the title characterALFin costume, haspassed awayat the age of 76. The actor was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles last week and taken to a local hospital, and he had been in a coma ever since. The actor, who stood just 2'9" and was the self-proclaimed “smallest man alive,” had been suffering from health problems after he had a stroke eight years ago.
TMZconfirmedMichu Meszaros' death with his manager,Dennis Varga. The manager told the site last week that he had strict instructions from his client not to take him off of life support. No specifics were given about how he slipped into acoma, or if an autopsy will be performed.
Mihaly “Michu” Meszaroswas born in Budapest, Hungary in 1939, and he started out as a circus performer for Ringling Brothers. He started his acting career on NBC’sAlf, appearing in 10 episodes in the show’s four-season run. While the title character was created and voiced by puppeteerPaul Fusco,Michu Meszaroswould don the costume during episodes when full body shots were needed ofAlf. He was also credited as a “personal assistant” toAlfduring the show’s four-season run on NBC, between 1986 and 1990.
He also appeared in movies such asWaxwork,Big Top Pee-Wee,Warlock: The ArmageddonandFreakedin minor roles.Mihaly “Michu” Meszarosalso guest starred in an episode ofDear John, and served as a stunt double on the 1989 comedyLook Who’s Talking Too. His final role was as a Leprechaun in the 2015 short filmDeath to Cupid. We reported several years ago that anAlf moviewas in development at Sony Pictures Animation, which was said to be a live-action/CGI hybrid, but we haven’t heard anything further about this project since then.
The actor also became close friends with the iconicMichael Jacksonin the 1980s, and was a regular fixture at hisNeverland Ranch. He even appeared in two Pepsi commercials with the late singer. The actor’s manager has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his funeral and medical costs. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates on the death ofAlfstarMihaly “Michu” Meszaros.
