Actor Michael Gray, best known for playing Billy Batson in the CBS superhero series Shazam!, has died aged 75. His representative confirmed to Deadline that Gray died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, California.
Role in Shazam!
Gray appeared in 28 episodes of the beloved show, which ran from 1974 to 1976 on CBS's Saturday morning lineup. His character, Billy Batson, was a teenage boy who could transform into the superhero Captain Marvel by saying the word "Shazam!".
Gray spoke about being cast in Shazam! at a Comic-Con panel in 2012, saying: "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."
He added: "It didn't matter that it was on Saturday morning or primetime – though the fact that it was one of the first few live-action shows on Saturday morning was exciting. It truly was a thrilling show to work."
Tributes from Colleagues and Fans
John Davey, who took over the role of Captain Marvel from Jackson Bostwick, said in a statement that Gray was "just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humour". He 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."
LA publicist Danny Deraney wrote on X: "God speed Michael Gray who played young Billy in Shazam the TV series. God how I loved this show."
One fan wrote: "One of my favorite Saturday morning shows when I was a boy. RIP Michael Gray."
Career Highlights
In the series, Billy travels the country in a 1973 Dodge Open Road motorhome with his guardian, Mentor (Les Tremayne), looking for crimes to solve. In 1973, Gray appeared as a guest in the primetime series The Brady Bunch as Marcia's boyfriend. He also acted in programmes such as Dynasty, Room 222, Marcus Welby, The Flying Nun, and more recently Archer.
