Michael Gray, the beloved actor who brought the iconic character of Billy Batson to life in the 1970s television series ‘Shazam!’, has passed away at the age of 75.
Gray died of natural causes in Palm Desert on Friday, October 20.
Gray’s portrayal of Billy Batson made him a familiar face to a generation of young television viewers. The superhero series, which aired from 1974 to 1976 for three seasons, cemented his place in pop culture, with his image gracing the covers of numerous teen magazines of the era.
His career began with a television debut in NBC’s ‘The Little People’ in 1972. Beyond ‘Shazam!’, Gray appeared in popular shows like ‘The Brady Bunch’, ‘Dynasty’, and ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’.
John Davey, Gray’s co-star, fondly remembered him as a warm and friendly individual who genuinely enjoyed acting and connecting with fans. “Mike was just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humor. 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,” Davey shared.
Born in Chicago on September 2, 1951, Gray later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. After ‘Shazam!’ concluded, he took a hiatus from acting, exploring children’s theatre education, men’s fashion, and even running a floral business with his wife, Stacy.
His career saw a resurgence in 2012 when ‘Shazam!’ was remastered for DVD. Gray began attending fan conventions and made a brief, memorable appearance in the 2023 film ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’, a touching nod to his original role. He often shared how fans expressed that his role had positively impacted their lives, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Michael Gray is survived by his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, his stepchildren Ryan and Laurel Cooper, and his son-in-law Lee Barker.