Michael Gray, the actor who became a fixture of 1970s television as the original Billy Batson in the live-action series Shazam!, died on October 16, 2026. He was 75 years old.
According to TMZ, Gray passed away from natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California. Gray is survived by his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, and two stepchildren, Ryan and Laurel Cooper.
The Face of Billy Batson
Gray rose to national prominence in 1974 when he was cast as the teenage protagonist of Shazam! on CBS. For three seasons ending in 1976, he portrayed Billy Batson, a young man who traveled across the country in an open-top motorhome with his mentor, “Mentor” (played by Les Tremayne). By speaking the name of the wizard Shazam, Batson would transform into the superhero Captain Marvel.
The series was a staple of Saturday morning programming and cemented Gray’s status as a teenage idol. His image was frequently featured in fan magazines of the era, such as Tiger Beat. Gray maintained a lifelong connection to the character and the DC Comics fandom, which culminated in a meta-cameo in the 2023 feature film Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Television Career and Later Years
Before donning the iconic red shirt for Shazam!, Gray appeared in several prominent television projects. He notably guest-starred in the 1973 The Brady Bunch episode “Marcia Gets Creamed,” playing Marcia’s boyfriend, Jeff. He also held a series regular role as Ronnie Collins in the NBC sitcom The Little People (later renamed The Brian Keith Show) from 1972 to 1973. The news of his passing follows the recent death of his Little People co-star, Shelley Fabares, in August 2026.
In later years, Gray largely stepped away from traditional acting, though he remained active in the industry through occasional voice work. He voiced a fictionalized, over-the-top version of himself in the animated series Archer, playing a character trapped on a “Martian” colony.
Outside of the entertainment industry, Gray built a successful second career in floral design. For many years, he and his wife operated a floral shop in West Hollywood. Despite his transition into business, Gray remained a frequent guest at fan conventions, where he often spoke about the enduring legacy of 1970s superhero television and his pride in being the first actor to bring Billy Batson to a live-action audience.
