Michael Gray, Star of 1970s 'Shazam!' Series, Dies at 75

Actor Michael Gray, who gained fame for his role as Billy Batson in the 1970s superhero series "Shazam!," has died at the age of 75. His representatives confirmed his passing on October 16, citing natural causes.

Gray portrayed Billy Batson across 28 episodes of the series, which aired from 1974 to 1976. The show centered on a teenager who transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel by uttering the word "Shazam!". Gray was born on September 2, 1951, and raised in Miami Beach before pursuing an acting career in Southern California. He studied at the Pasadena Playhouse.

He recalled in a 2012 Comic-Con panel that he initially knew little about the character, stating, "I didn't know the character or the story when I was initially cast, so I had to be a quick study." He described the experience as "fun and exhausting, challenging and thrilling, all at once."

Gray appeared in television shows such as "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "The Flying Nun," and "Room 222" before landing a recurring role as Ronnie on the NBC series "The Little People." He also had a guest appearance on "The Brady Bunch" in 1973 as Marcia Brady's boyfriend. His film credits include "Run, Simon, Run," "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," and "Myra Breckinridge."

Following his time on "Shazam!," Gray took a hiatus from acting. During this period, he explored other ventures, including theater education, men's fashion, and operating a flower company with his wife, Stacy Benon Gray. In recent years, Gray returned to acting, appearing in FX's "Archer" and the "Surge of Power" film franchise, with his final role in 2024's "Surge of Power: Where There's Smoke."

He made a cameo appearance in the 2023 film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods." John Davey, who also starred in the original series, described Gray as "just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humor." Davey added, "He loved acting, loved doing the show and, in recent years, loved appearing at Comic-Cons. He really enjoyed meeting and chatting with the fans. Mike was a wonderful man - I don't think he ever stopped smiling."

Gray is survived by his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, his stepchildren Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper, and his son-in-law Lee Barker.