We're guessing Max Wright wishes he were on Melmac about now.
Wright, best known as bespectacled bundle of neuroses Willie Tanner, patriarch of ALF's adopted family on the hit 1980s sitcom, has lost driving privileges in New York state following a guilty plea to a drunken-driving charge.
The 60-year-old actor, whose TV credentials include guest stints on Friends, Murphy Brown, Cheers and WKRP in Cincinnati, appeared in a courtroom in the Albany suburb of Valatie Thursday to enter his plea, according to the Hudson Register Star.
Wright, who was sentenced under his given name, George, will not be able to drive in the state for six months. Valatie Village Justice Edward J. Williams also fined the actor nearly $1,200--$750 for the drunken-driving charge, plus a $125 court surcharge and $345 in restitution.
A resident of California, Wright was visiting his adult daughter upstate when he ran afoul of local authorities by running into some mailboxes and a traffic sign. Wright had been trying to mail a letter, but instead wound up wiping out in his Volvo. Police said Wright's blood-alcohol level was 0.22--nearly three times the legal limit.
A veteran supporting player instantly recognizable to Nick at Nite fans--IMDB lists more than 50 credits for him--Wright scored his biggest success as guardian of the furry E.T. on ALF, which ran on NBC from 1986 to 1990.
He worked steadily through the 1990s, guesting on sitcoms (The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You, Quantum Leap), appearing in TV movies and miniseries (The Stand, From the Earth to the Moon) and making the occasional feature (Grumpier Old Men, A Midsummer Night's Dream).
Wright's acting résumé has been a bit thin of late. His last credited role came in the 2002 indie film Easter, which according to IMDB has only been screened at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival.