EXCLUSIVE

Michu Meszaros, the circus star who played "ALF" for four seasons, has passed ... his longtime manager, Dennis Varga, confirmed to TMZ.

He'd been rushed to an L.A. hospital over a week ago after being found unresponsive at his home and had been in a coma since.

Michu was born in Hungary and began performing in the circus in his teens. He was only 33 inches tall coining him the unofficial title as "the smallest man on earth." He eventually joined Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus in the '70s.

He was close friends with Michael Jackson after the pop star saw him perform. Michu was reportedly a regular at Neverland Ranch, present during MJ's courtship to Lisa Marie and even knew Michael's kids.

He landed the role of walkaround ALF in the '80s.

Varga has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs and medical bills.