Michael Gray, ‘Shazam!’ Star, Dies at 75

Michael Gray, the actor best known for playing Billy Batson in the 1970s television series Shazam!, has died at 75. He died of natural causes on October 16, 2026, in Palm Desert, California. His publicist confirmed his death on October 22.

Gray starred in Shazam! from 1974 to 1976, playing Billy Batson, a teenager who transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel by saying the word “Shazam!” The live-action series aired on CBS as part of its Saturday morning programming and ran for three seasons. Jackson Bostwick initially played Captain Marvel, with John Davey taking over the role later in the series.

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Before landing the lead role in Shazam!, Gray appeared in several television productions. He played Ronnie Collins in NBC’s The Little People, which starred Brian Keith and Shelley Fabares and aired from 1972 to 1973. He also appeared as Jeff, Marcia Brady’s boyfriend, in an episode of The Brady Bunch in 1973. His other television credits included Room 222, The Flying Nun and Marcus Welby, M.D.

Born in Chicago on September 2, 1951, Gray grew up in Miami Beach, Florida, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting and study at the Pasadena Playhouse. His film credits included Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Myra Breckinridge. His role in Shazam! brought him wider recognition, and he appeared on the covers of teen magazines, including Tiger Beat.

The attention that came with the series made Gray a recognizable face among young viewers, but he later became concerned about being typecast. He took a break from acting and explored other work, including children’s theater education and men’s fashion. He also owned and operated a floral business with his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, whom he married in 1994.

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Gray returned to acting in later years, including appearances in the animated series Archer, in which he voiced a fictionalized version of himself. He also appeared in the reality series Comic Book Men and made a cameo in the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods. In the film, his appearance served as a nod to the original television series.

The 2012 release of Shazam! on DVD helped bring renewed attention to Gray’s work. He subsequently attended fan conventions, where he met viewers who remembered him from the series. His former co-star John Davey recalled Gray’s sense of humor and his enjoyment of meeting fans.

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