# Michael Gray, Billy Batson in TV’s ‘Shazam!,’ Dies at 75

Representatives announced the actor’s death on Oct. 22. He played Billy Batson in the 1970s television series and returned to the franchise for a 2023 film cameo.

By The Signal Edition | Culture / Television
Published: 2026-10-23T02:05:00Z
Updated: 2026-10-23T02:05:00Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/michael-gray-shazam-actor-dies-75-xlvfsd
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/b234bcf7d6523b95646317208cc4a7f6.webp (Michael Gray wearing a red and yellow shirt in his Shazam! Fury of the Gods cameo; credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / DC; film still via Comic Book Club)

## Summary
- Michael Gray died Oct. 16 at age 75, according to a representative statement; his publicist confirmed his death in Palm Desert, California, to Entertainment Weekly.
- Gray played Billy Batson in the live-action ‘Shazam!’ television series that debuted in 1974.
- His television work included ‘The Little People’ and a guest role as Marcia Brady’s boyfriend on ‘The Brady Bunch.’
- He later appeared in ‘Archer’ and made a cameo in the 2023 film ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods.’

## Representatives announce Gray’s death

Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson in the 1970s live-action television series ‘Shazam!,’ died Oct. 16 at age 75, his representatives announced Thursday, Oct. 22. People reported receiving a statement from his representatives. His publicist separately confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he died in Palm Desert, California. The representative statement described his death as from natural causes. [1](https://people.com/michael-gray-star-of-1970s-shazam-series-dies-at-75-12188831) [2](https://ew.com/michael-gray-shazam-brady-bunch-star-dies-at-75-12188900) [4](https://comicbookclublive.com/2026/10/22/michael-gray-tvs-original-billy-batson-in-shazam-dead-at-75/)

In the announcement, former ‘Shazam!’ co-star John Davey remembered Gray’s humor, enthusiasm for acting and enjoyment of meeting fans at conventions. Davey played the superhero Captain Marvel after Jackson Bostwick originated that role. Gray played the younger Billy, who became the hero by speaking the word ‘Shazam.’ [1](https://people.com/michael-gray-star-of-1970s-shazam-series-dies-at-75-12188831) [4](https://comicbookclublive.com/2026/10/22/michael-gray-tvs-original-billy-batson-in-shazam-dead-at-75/)

## The role that defined his career

The series debuted in 1974, bringing a comic-book hero to Saturday-morning television. Billy traveled with Mentor, played by Les Tremayne, and used his powers to help people. In an interview published by AMC in 2018, Gray recalled auditioning without much knowledge of the character or the superhero genre. He said the program ultimately attracted both its young Saturday-morning audience and viewers who knew him from teen magazines. [2](https://ew.com/michael-gray-shazam-brady-bunch-star-dies-at-75-12188900) [3](https://www.amc.com/blogs/comic-book-men-qa-michael-gray-shazam--1004595)

Gray’s earlier television credits included ‘Room 222,’ ‘The Flying Nun’ and ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’ He landed a regular role in NBC’s ‘The Little People’ in 1972, appearing alongside Brian Keith and Shelley Fabares. The following year, he guest-starred on ‘The Brady Bunch’ as Jeff, a boyfriend of Marcia Brady, played by Maureen McCormick. [4](https://comicbookclublive.com/2026/10/22/michael-gray-tvs-original-billy-batson-in-shazam-dead-at-75/)

His visibility extended beyond the screen: Gray frequently appeared in Tiger Beat and other teen magazines. The representative announcement said he later felt typecast and stepped away from acting. During that period, his work included children’s theater education, men’s fashion and operating a West Hollywood floral business. [4](https://comicbookclublive.com/2026/10/22/michael-gray-tvs-original-billy-batson-in-shazam-dead-at-75/)

## Returning to the superhero audience

Gray revisited the franchise in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ in 2023. DC’s account of the movie’s references identified him as the bystander who cheers on Zachary Levi’s superhero using the name Captain Marvel. He also wore an outfit recalling his television character, giving longtime viewers a visual connection to the earlier adaptation. [5](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/03/21/rounding-up-the-easter-eggs-in-shazam-fury-of-the-gods)

He also voiced a fictionalized version of himself in the animated comedy ‘Archer.’ In his AMC interview, Gray linked that opportunity to the enduring audience for ‘Shazam!’ He described being surprised by the reception at a 2012 San Diego Comic-Con appearance associated with the television series’ DVD release, decades after he first played Billy Batson. [3](https://www.amc.com/blogs/comic-book-men-qa-michael-gray-shazam--1004595)

Gray told AMC that fans continued to recognize him and share what the show had meant to them as children. He credited its lessons about right and wrong and accepting other people with helping it endure. His account emphasized gratitude toward those viewers and the unexpected longevity of a role he had taken early in his career. [3](https://www.amc.com/blogs/comic-book-men-qa-michael-gray-shazam--1004595)

## Reporting sources
1. [People: Michael Gray, Star of 1970s ‘Shazam!’ Series, Dies at 75](https://people.com/michael-gray-star-of-1970s-shazam-series-dies-at-75-12188831) (2026-10-22)
2. [Entertainment Weekly: Michael Gray, ‘Shazam’ star and Marcia’s boyfriend on ‘The Brady Bunch,’ dies at 75](https://ew.com/michael-gray-shazam-brady-bunch-star-dies-at-75-12188900) (2026-10-22)
3. [AMC: Comic Book Men Q&A — Michael Gray (Shazam!)](https://www.amc.com/blogs/comic-book-men-qa-michael-gray-shazam--1004595) (2018-04-02)
4. [Representative press release, reproduced by Comic Book Club: Michael Gray, TV’s Original Billy Batson in ‘Shazam!,’ Dead at 75](https://comicbookclublive.com/2026/10/22/michael-gray-tvs-original-billy-batson-in-shazam-dead-at-75/) (2026-10-22)
5. [DC: Rounding up the Easter Eggs in Shazam! Fury of the Gods](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/03/21/rounding-up-the-easter-eggs-in-shazam-fury-of-the-gods) (2023-03-21)