Mihaly "Michu" Meszaros, a diminutive actor and circus performer, was born in 1939 in Budapest, Hungary, standing at an incredible 2'9" tall. Prior to emigrating to America in the 1970s, Meszaros performed with the Hungarian National Circus, honing his skills and preparing for his future roles. Not surprisingly, given his physical stature, he often portrayed circus midgets in films, including "Big Top Pee-wee" and "Warlock: The Armageddon".
However, it was his iconic role as the titular extraterrestrial ALF that brought him widespread recognition. Meszaros donned the furry full-body costume to bring the lovable, rascally alien to life, and his scenes walking, running, or standing in complete view became a staple of the popular 1980s sitcom. His acting career also included appearances on the TV shows "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Dear John", as well as stints on the big screen in "Look Who's Talking", where he performed impressive stunts.
Meszaros's filmography also boasts a number of notable roles, including the tiny butler Hans in the horror flick "Waxworks", and the grotesquely mutated George Ramirez in the cult favorite "Freaked". Moreover, he was a proud member of the esteemed Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. In his free time, Meszaros enjoyed indulging in his vices, sipping scotch and puffing on giant cigars.
Tragically, Meszaros's life came to an abrupt end at the age of 76, when he fell into a coma on June 13, 2016.
