Long before ALF, she became a familiar face to audiences through appearances on numerous popular series, including The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Emergency!, The Incredible Hulk, Three’s Company, Cheers, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, and many others. Her versatility and natural screen presence made her a sought-after performer throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Yet it was ALF that cemented her place in television history.
Across four seasons from 1986 to 1990, Schedeen’s portrayal of Kate Tanner provided the emotional center of the series. Whether dealing with family challenges or the chaos brought on by an alien houseguest, she delivered performances that felt genuine, heartfelt, and timeless.
”Big lows and very big highs”
In a 1989 interview, Anne Schedeen explained that she was very different from the character she portrayed on ALF. While Kate Tanner was known for her calm, level-headed nature and emotional balance, Schedeen described herself as far more intense and emotionally expressive.
“Kate’s on an emotional even keel. She has a wonderful balance. But Anne Schedeen can become a lunatic. I have very big lows and very big highs. I’m also a whole lot more interesting,” Schedeen told Daily News.
Away from acting, Schedeen devoted herself to creative pursuits, producing artwork, sculptures, handmade jewelry, and paintings. She also became involved in charitable work and causes close to her heart, touching lives far beyond the entertainment industry.
Her longtime agent, Tom Markley, remembered her simply, saying:
“Annie meant the world to her family and this agency.”
Anne Schedeen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Christopher Barrett, her daughter Taylor Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, siblings Sarabeth Schedeen and Roland “Tony” Schedeen, extended family members, and her beloved rescue dogs, Roo and Red.
In lieu of flowers, her family has asked that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, one of the causes she cherished most.
For fans who grew up watching ALF, Anne Schedeen will always be remembered as the calm voice in the middle of the chaos, the loving mother who kept the Tanner family together, and the actress whose warmth made every scene feel like home.
As Annie herself once said:
“I’m always with you.”
Thank you for all the joy and talent you brought into our lives through your acting. Anne will live forever through her work and the memories she created for so many people.
