On a Monday afternoon in October of 2018, a long-overdue memorial for Mihaly “Michu” Meszaros was being prepared inside of a small, Hollywood museum.

Thanks to dogged collection efforts, a smattering of the late performer's personal effects had all ended up there, including a pair of cowboy boots, a straw hat, and a blue, terry cloth bathrobe with the phrase "The Greatest Show on Earth" sewn onto the back.

Michu's director's chair was also there, his name printed in gold letters across its dark blue fabric. An empty wooden box lay on its seat. Later, it would be used to contain Michu’s ashes.

Michu, who was two-feet and nine-inches tall, started out as a circus star, but is perhaps best known for his role as the furry alien ALF on the titular ‘80s NBC sitcom. After his time under the big red tent, the Hungarian-born performer explored other avenues of entertainment. He appeared in films like Big Top Pee-Wee, the horror-comedy Waxwork, and he even toured with Michael Jackson.

During his lifetime, Michu left his mark in both the media and in his hometown. There's even a street named after him in Hawthorne, the Southern California city where he lived.