Michael Gray Dies: ‘Shazam!’ Star Was 75
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
No new facts have been added in the supplied article text: it still reports that actor Michael Gray, best known as Billy Batson in the 1970s television series *Shazam!*, has died aged 75. His death marks the loss of a performer associated with an early live-action Saturday morning superhero show that helped make him a teen idol.
Gray died of natural causes on 16 October in Palm Desert, California, his representative confirmed. In *Shazam!*, Billy travelled with his guardian Mentor, played by Les Tremayne, and transformed into Captain Marvel by saying “Shazam!” Gray also appeared in *The Brady Bunch*, *Dynasty* and *Archer*, and had a cameo in *Shazam! Fury of the Gods*. He is survived by his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, his stepchildren Ryan and Laurel Cooper, and son-in-law Lee Barker.
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In short
- The supplied coverage adds no new details about Gray’s death.
- Gray was best known for playing Billy Batson in *Shazam!*.
- He died aged 75 and is survived by his family.
How this story developed
- 4 minutes ago Actor Michael Gray, best known for playing Billy Batson in the 1970s live-action series *Shazam!*, has died aged 75.
- 8 minutes ago No new facts have been added in the supplied article text: it still reports that actor Michael Gray, best known as Billy Batson in the 1970s television series *Shazam!*, has died aged 75.
Explained simply
Michael Gray was an American actor whose best-known role was Billy Batson in the 1970s television series Shazam!. Billy was a boy who could transform into the superhero Captain Marvel by saying “Shazam”.
The Saturday morning series followed Billy and his guardian, Mentor, as they travelled around the United States and helped people facing injustice. Gray was the second actor to play Billy in the show, which brought the comic-book character to television and made Gray a teen idol.
Gray also appeared in shows including The Brady Bunch and Dynasty, and later had a cameo in the film Shazam! Fury of the Gods. His career linked the original television series with later screen versions of the character.