Summary
- The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on.” Reading those words, it becomes clear that Anne Schedeen was far more than an actress.
- Anne Schedeen is survived by her husband of 55 years Christopher Barrett, daughter Taylor Barrett, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, brother Roland “Tony” Schedeen, and her rescue dogs Roo and Red, among other loving family members.
- Fifty-five years of marriage, rescue dogs, oil paintings, handmade jewelry and a margarita send-off.
Anne Schedeen, the warm and witty actress who won over an entire generation as the long-suffering but lovable Kate Tanner on the beloved 1980s sitcom ALF, has passed away. She was 77 years old, and the world of television has lost one of its quietly remarkable talents.
On Sunday, June 14, the news was shared on Schedeen’s official Facebook page, confirming that she had died peacefully at the age of 77. No cause of death was mentioned, but what followed was a family statement so full of warmth and personality that it felt less like a formal announcement and more like a final love letter.
Her family wrote, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story.” It is the kind of tribute that tells you everything about who someone really was, not just the roles they played on screen.
The statement did not stop there. Her family added, “She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it. But as she said, ‘I’m always with you.’ And she’s right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on.” Reading those words, it becomes clear that Anne Schedeen was far more than an actress. She was a creator, a personality, and a presence that filled every room she walked into.
The family also asked those wishing to honor her memory to do so in a way that felt true to who she was. “Raise a margarita in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to one of Annie’s favorite causes, Habitat for Humanity,” the statement concluded.
For fans who grew up watching ALF in the late 1980s, Schedeen’s portrayal of Kate Tanner was a cornerstone of the show. She played the grounded, often exasperated mother of a household that had somehow welcomed an alien into its daily life, and she did it with a comedic timing and sincerity that made the whole premise work.
Anne Schedeen is survived by her husband of 55 years Christopher Barrett, daughter Taylor Barrett, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, brother Roland “Tony” Schedeen, and her rescue dogs Roo and Red, among other loving family members.
Fifty-five years of marriage, rescue dogs, oil paintings, handmade jewelry and a margarita send-off. Anne Schedeen clearly lived life entirely on her own terms, and that is something worth celebrating.
