Michael Gray, famous for his role as Captain Marvel’s alter ego Billy Batson in the 1970’s, has died at the age of 75. Gray starred as Billy Batson, Captain Marvel’s alter ego in the NBC The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!, aka the The Shazam Isis Hour.
Michael Gray was born October 2, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. He died October 16, 2026, in Palm Desert, California.
He worked as a juvenile actor from age 18 to 23. He appeared on such shows as Room 222 as a student in Pete’s class, as well as bit roles on The Brady Bunch and The Brian Keith Show—but in 1974 came the role that made him famous and put him on the cover of Tiger Beat.: Billy Batson on the live-action Saturday morning show Shazam!
Somewhat different from the Fawcett (and later DC comic book) Billy Batson was a seemingly ordinary teenager, travelling cross-country in an RV with an old man called Mentor, without any visible means of support, seeking students in trouble …usually because of their own poor life choices.
When Billy shouted the acronym Shazam, the initials of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury, young Billy Batson would transform into the adult superhero Captain Marvel, played by Jackson Bostwick in some episodes and John Davey in others. Captain Marvel would then right wrongs, rescue the endangered and teach lessons about responsibility, tolerance, compassion, communication, et cetera.
“O Elders, swift and strong and wise, appear before my seeking eyes.”
After Shazam, Gray retired from acting except for occasional guest appearances. It seems appropriate his final acting role was a cameo in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), which was a rare instance of a sequel being better than the original movie.
Gray had voice roles as himself in Goober and the Ghost Chasers and Archer. Gray was a semi-regular on Little People, later renamed The Brian Keith Show as student doctor Ronnie Collins.
Gray married Tracy Benon in 1994. They ran a florist shop together in West Hollywood. It closed in the mid-2000s.
Michael Gray died of natural causes at the age of 75. He was survived by his wife, his stepchildren, Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper, and his son-in-law, Lee Barker. Our condolences to them and to every old lady who was once a teenage girl with Tiger Beat posters of Michael Gray, now crying her eyes out.
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows. Her nonfiction book THEY ENDURED will be published by B Cubed Press in 2025 or 2026.
