George Edward "Max" Wright (August 2, 1943 – June 26, 2019) was an American actor, known for his role as Willie Tanner on the sitcom ALF (1986–1990).

William "Willie" Francis Tanner is the father of the Tanner family, performed by Max Wright, and a social worker. He is the human protagonist in the series ALF. At the Social Services Department of Los Angeles County.

Jul 11, 2024 · An acronym for Alien Life Form, 'Alf' aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990 and followed the Tanner family as they housed an alien from planet Melmac. Find out what the cast got up to after the...

Feb 27, 2021 · 'ALF' fans surely remember Willie Tanner, but they likely don't know the scandalous and tragic story of the actor behind him, Max Wright. by Rita DeMichiel Updated on December 14, 2023

Mar 6, 2021 · Max Wright appeared as Willie Tanner, the father in ALF, from 1986 to 1990. The role became Wright’s best-known, but also one of his own personally most-disliked. Overall, he shared his costars’ dislike for the blocking requirements.

Willie Tanner (portrayed by Max Wright) is the father of the Tanner family, who works as a social worker. In "Varsity Drag" (Season 2), we learn Willie is a graduate from Amherst College where he was a social science major "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (Season 3).

Jun 27, 2019 · Max Wright was a Tony-nominated actor who was best known for his role as patriarch Willie Tanner on NBC sitcom “ALF.” From 1986 to 1990, Wright played straight man to the “alien life form”...

Jun 26, 2019 · Veteran actor Max Wright, best known as the father in 1980s sitcom ALF, died today after a long cancer battle. He passed away in his Hermosa Beach, Calif. home at age 75. Wright played Willie...

Since the crash the Tanner family has been both hiding and protecting ALF from the Alien Task Force, a military organization that hunts down extra terrestrial aliens on Earth. The family consists of the social worker Willie, his wife Kate, their children Lynn and Brian, and their cat Lucky.

ALF follows the adventures of Gordon Shumway, a furry, wise-cracking alien from the planet Melmac who crash lands into the garage of the Tanner family. The Tanners offer him a home and...