Michael Gray, star of 1970s Shazam! TV series, dies at 75

Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson on the 1970s Saturday morning show Shazam!, died at age 75, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Gray's character was the teenager who transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel by saying the word "shazam."

The CBS series aired for three seasons from 1974 to 1976, with Gray's character turning into Captain Marvel, played by Jackson Bostwick and later John Davey. Gray also had a cameo in the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods, interacting with the current Captain Marvel.

Born in Chicago and raised in Miami Beach, Gray began his acting career with appearances on shows like Room 222, The Flying Nun, and The Brady Bunch, where he played Marcia's boyfriend. He studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse before landing his role on Shazam!.

Gray died of natural causes on October 16 in Palm Desert, California, as confirmed by his representative to Deadline. He was remembered for his role as a teen idol and his contributions to television during the 1970s.