'Shazam!' Actor War 75
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Michael Gray, known for his role as Billy Batson in the 1970s “Shazam!” TV series, died at age 75 from natural causes in Palm Desert.
- Gray began his television career in 1972 and appeared in several popular shows and films before gaining fame on “Shazam!” from 1974 to 1976, becoming a teen idol.
- After feeling typecast post-“Shazam!,” Gray took a break from acting, working in children’s theater, fashion, and running a floral business with his wife.
- The 2012 remastered release of “Shazam!” revived his career, leading to appearances at fan conventions, roles in shows like “Archer,” and a cameo in the 2023 film “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.”
- Gray is survived by his wife Stacy Benon Gray, step-children Ryan and Laurel Cooper, and son-in-law Lee Barker.
