‘Shazam!’ actor Michael Gray dead at 75

391064 01: Actor Michael Gray attends the Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show June 23, 2001 at Beverly Garland”s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, CA. (Photo by

Actor Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson on the “Shazam!” TV series, has died at age 75.

<img src="https://wcti12.com/resources/media2/16×9/2021/800/39×48/80/93e66982-52c2-4344-9626-81c862b3c156-GettyImages901716258.jpg" alt='HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 05: Actor Michael Gray attends the premiere of "Surge Of Power: The Stuff Of Heroes” at Arena Cinelounge on January 5, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)’>

HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 05: Actor Michael Gray attends the premiere of “Surge Of Power: The Stuff Of Heroes” at Arena Cinelounge on January 5, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/

His publicist announced the news Thursday to TVLine, who reported that Gray died on October 16 from natural causes.

Gray played teenager Billy Batson on the 1970s “Shazam!” TV series based on the comic books. Billy could turn into Captain Marvel (played by another actor, first Jackson Bostwick and later John Davey) when he said “Shazam!”

The series ran for three seasons on CBS Saturday mornings from 1974 to 1976.

Gray also appeared in other TV series like “The Little People,” “Dynasty,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Room 222,” and “The Flying Nun.” He also played Marcia’s boyfriend, Jeff, on an episode of “The Brady Bunch.”

Promotional portrait of Michael Gray and John Davey for the television program, ‘Shazam!’ c. 1976. (Photo by CBS/

In his later life, Gray stepped away from acting but often made appearances in series referencing himself, like the animated series “Archer,” where he’s credited as TV’s Michael Gray/Himself and the reality series “Comic Book Men.”

Gray also made a cameo in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” starring Zachary Levi as the superhero version and Asher Angel as young Billy.

In a 2012 interview with Comic Book Rehazam!” decades later

“It’s an ongoing thing and it amazes me still 37 years later. I did Comic-Con International in San Diego and was totally blown away by it. It was mind boggling. I did a Warner panel and saw 700 people — it almost brought tears to my eyes. One day someone screams, ‘Oh my God!’ and it’s a construction guy. I thought I’d have a problem there, but he recognized me and gave me a big hug. People still recognize me — I don’t know how. I look more like Mentor now,” he said at the time.

391064 01: Actor Michael Gray attends the Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show June 23, 2001 at Beverly Garland”s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, CA. (Photo by

As for his post-Hollywood career, Gray said in the interview he owned a flower shop for a time but qui “after too many hours working and not enough money” and said at the time he was working in “one of the best men’s clothing stores in the country. It’s a job and I enjoy it.”

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

3
Greenville, ECU bring students and landlords together for housing law outreach seminar3
Craven Community College hosts University Transfer Day5
Fire damages Morehead City apartment; no injuries reported4
Mitchell County leaders await word on potential Sibelco plant