As a longtime fan of classic sitcoms and 80s pop culture, I’ve had the pleasure of growing up with ALF, the misadventurous alien from Melmac. And behind the furry exterior was none other than Paul Fusco, an incredibly talented puppeteer, writer, director, and voice actor who brought our beloved alien friend to life.
Paul Fusco is the man behind the scenes who brought Gordon Shumway, or ALF as he’s famously known, to life in the beloved Melmacian sitcom. As the puppeteer, co-creator, writer, director, and voice actor, Fusco played a pivotal role in making ALF a household name. He portrayed the character throughout the show’s four-season run on NBC, as well as in various specials, revivals, and talk shows. Additionally, Fusco lent his voice to ALF for animated adaptations such as “ALF: Fairy Tales” and “ALF: The Animated Series.”
When Fusco acted as ALF in puppet form and his body wasn’t visible below the chest, various actors stepped in to portray the character during scenes where full body shots were necessary. Mihaly “Michu” Meszaros was one of them, wearing the costume for sequences that called for ALF to move around on set. Shorter actors have also assumed the role since then. Despite being known for his grumpy alien persona, Fusco has demonstrated he’s more than just a humorous extraterrestrial over the years.
Fusco has voiced a few other characters as well
Paul Fusco is best known for giving life to ALF’s character, but his talent extends beyond that fuzzy cat-eating alien. His diverse voiceover roles include appearances in projects unrelated to ALF. He made his television debut voicing Captain Catgut in “Spacecats,” and brought Erzats to life in Rue McClanahan’s special “The Wickedest Witch.” Fusco also starred as Tom Turkey in “A Thanksgiving Tale” and portrayed Santa himself in “Santa’s Magic Toy Bag,” both productions he wrote, produced, and performed in. Additionally, he co-wrote the special “The Moonstone Gem” with his longtime collaborator and wife, Linda. Furthermore, Fusco directed several episodes of the USA Network series “Lost on Earth.”
Fusco is most recognized for his Melmacian invention, and at times, he even feels like ALF when he’s struggling creatively. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter that during those moments, “When I wrote an episode and couldn’t think of a funny line for ALF, I would ask ALF himself what to say. I would actually put on the character, and ALF would provide the witty remark.” This unique collaboration fueled ALF’s humor with a hint of adult edge, cementing its popularity in the ’80s and making it a beloved TV figure for fans across the globe. With rumors of an ALF revival spearheaded by Ryan Reynolds, we can only imagine what new adventures Fusco and ALF may embark on together.
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2024-07-22 01:59