Michael Gray, who rose to fame as Billy Batson in the 1970s television series Shazam!, has died at the age of 75. He died of natural causes in Palm Desert, California, on 16 October.
According to Variety, Gray became a teen idol through his role in the live-action superhero series, which ran for three seasons from 1974 to 1976. His popularity extended beyond television, with frequent appearances on the covers of Tiger Beat and other teen magazines. His co-star John Davey remembered him as a warm, humorous man who loved acting and meeting fans.
“From my very first day on ‘Shazam!,’ Mike and Les [Tremayne] welcomed me like a king,” Davey said. “Mike was just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humour. 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 began his television career in 1972 when NBC cast him in The Little People, alongside Brian Keith and Shelly Fabares. He went on to play Jeff, Marcia’s boyfriend, in The Brady Bunch. His early television credits also included Dynasty, Marcus Welby, M.D., Room 222 and The Flying Nun. His film appearances included Run, Simon, Run, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Myra Breckinridge.
In 1974, Gray landed the role of Billy Batson in Shazam!, appearing alongside John Davey and Les Tremayne. The series followed Batson’s adventures as he transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel. The role brought Gray widespread recognition and established him as a familiar face among young television viewers.
However, the success also left him feeling typecast. Gray eventually stepped away from acting and explored other careers. He worked in children’s theatre education and men’s fashion. He also owned and operated a floral business with his wife, Stacy.
The series returned to prominence in 2012 when its makers remastered it for DVD distribution. The renewed interest revived Gray’s acting career and brought him back into contact with fans. He began attending comic conventions regularly and continued to pursue screen roles.
In later years, Gray appeared in several episodes of the FX animated series Archer, voicing a fictionalised version of himself as one of the title character’s childhood idols. He also appeared on AMC’s Comic Book Men and remained involved with the Surge of Power franchise.
Gray made a brief cameo in Shazam! Fury of the Gods in 2023, sharing a scene with Zachary Levi’s Captain Marvel. The appearance paid tribute to the original television series that had made him famous.
In a 2012 interview with Fanboy Planet, Gray reflected on the lasting impact of his best-known role.
“I meet people [everyday] who say, ‘You have no idea what you did for me as a child.’ ‘You helped me get through life.’ ‘You made me the better man, or woman, that I am today,’” he said. “And that’s a nice feeling. I didn’t know the show had that much strength and power back then.”
Gray was born in Chicago on 2 September 1951 and grew up in Miami Beach, Florida. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and studied at the Pasadena Playhouse.
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.
