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Michael Gray, 'Shazam!' Star, Dies at 75
· Confirmed
In Short: Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson in the 1970s CBS series 'Shazam!', died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, California.
Michael Gray, known for his role as Billy Batson in the 1970s CBS series 'Shazam!', died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, California, his publicist confirmed.
Gray's career began in 1972 with a role in NBC’s 'The Little People' alongside Brian Keith and Shelley Fabares. He also appeared in primetime TV shows such as 'The Brady Bunch', 'Dynasty', 'Marcus Welby, M.D.', 'Room 222', and 'The Flying Nun'.
In 'Shazam!', Gray portrayed Billy Batson, a teenager who transforms into the superhero Captain Marvel by uttering the magic word 'Shazam!'. He starred alongside Les Tremayne and John Davey in the series, which ran for three seasons until 1976.
Gray's character in 'Shazam!' was a teenage boy who could transform into an adult superhero named Captain Marvel whenever he said 'Shazam!'. He traveled across the country in a vintage 1973 Dodge Open Road motorhome, seeking out injustices to combat.
Gray recalled the transformation process during an interview with CBR in 2012: 'I remember when we were experimenting with the change from Billy to Captain Marvel, using a sort of flash device, and POOF -- the smoke would clear, and I was a little singed.'
In a panel at Comic-Con, Gray said, 'I didn’t know the character or the story when I was initially cast, so I had to be a quick study – so it was fun and exhausting, challenging and thrilling, all at once.'
Gray's resurgence in popularity came in 2012 with the DVD release of 'Shazam!', and he frequently attended fan conventions to reconnect with his fanbase.
Gray's other TV work included appearances in the independent superhero movie series 'Surge of Power' and a cameo in the 2023 movie 'Shazam!'. He also appeared in four episodes of 'Archer'.
Gray is survived by his wife Stacy Benon Gray, whom he married in 1994; his stepchildren Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper; and his son-in-law Lee Barker.
Gray's journey into television began in 1972 with a role in NBC’s 'The Little People', where he shared the screen with notable actors Brian Keith and Shelley Fabares.
In a statement to 'Extra', his family announced he died October 16 at 75 from natural causes.
Gray was born in Chicago in 1951 and grew up in Miami Beach, Florida, before moving to Hollywood.
What this adds
Gray's career spanned several decades, with notable roles in both primetime and children's television.
Gray's role in 'Shazam!' remained a significant part of his life, and he continued to engage with fans long after the series ended.
Background
Michael Gray, known for his role as Billy Batson in the 1970s CBS series 'Shazam!', died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, California.
What's confirmed
- Gray broke into television in 1972 with a role in NBC’s The Little People alongside Brian Keith and Shelly His early roles also included appearances in primetime TV shows such as The Brady Bunch (as Marcia’s boyfriend in 1973), Dynasty, Marcus Welby, M.D., Room 222, and The Flying Nun.
- “I remember when we were experimenting with the change from Billy to Captain Marvel, using a sort of flash device, and POOF -- the smoke would clear, and I was a little singed,” Gray recalled while speaking to CBR in 2012.
- "I didn’t know the character or the story when I was initially cast, so I had to be a quick study – so it was fun and exhausting, challenging and thrilling, all at once," Gray said during a panel at Comic-Con.
- He also appeared in the independent superhero movie series Surge of Power, in AMC’s Comic Book Men, and had a cameo in the movie Shazam!
- Gray is survived by his wife Stacy Benon Gray, whom he married in 1994; his stepchildren Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper; and son-in-law Lee Barker.
- Michael Gray, star of the 1970s CBS live-action series Shazam!, died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, CA, his rep confirmed to Deadline.
- Gray is survived by Stacy Benon Gray, his wife of more than 30 years; by his two stepchildren; and by his son-in-law.
- Gray died of natural causes on Friday, 16 October, in Palm Desert, California, his publicist announced on Thursday.
- Born in Chicago on 2 September 1951, Gray grew up in Miami Beach, Florida, before moving to Hollywood.
- Michael Gray, known for playing Billy Batson on "Shazam!" in the 1970s, has died, according to a report.
- Gray became a familiar face to television audiences through his role in "Shazam!," which followed young Billy Batson as he transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel to fight evil and save the day.
- “From my very first day on Shazam!, Mike and Les [Tremayne] welcomed me like a king,” Davey, 87, said in a statement.
What's still developing
- The actor passed away from natural causes on Oct. 16 in Palm Desert, Calif., his publicist tells Entertainment Weekly.