Michael Gray, best known for playing Billy Batson in the CBS live-action superhero series Shazam!, has died at the age of 75.
Gray starred as Billy Batson, a teenage boy who could transform into the superhero Captain Marvel by saying the word "Shazam!", in the series that ran from 1974 to 1976. He took over the role from Jackson Bostwick and John Davey.
A Thrilling Role to Take On
Speaking at a Comic-Con panel in 2012, Gray recalled being cast in the show. He 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."
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 Co-Star John Davey
John Davey, who also appeared in the series, paid tribute to Gray in a statement, describing him as "just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humor".
The news of Gray's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues, remembering the actor's contribution to one of the earliest live-action superhero shows on Saturday morning television.
