Saturday, October 24, 2026 - Hollywood is mourning actor Michael Gray, best known for playing Billy Batson in the popular 1970s superhero television series Shazam!, following his death at the age of 75. Gray died of natural causes in Palm Desert, California, on October 16, 2026, with news of his passing confirmed by his representatives on October 22.
His death has prompted tributes from colleagues and fans who remember him as a familiar face in classic American television. His performance as the young hero who transformed into Captain Marvel by shouting “Shazam!” helped make him a teen idol during the show's original run from 1974 to 1976.
Gray built his television career through appearances in several popular productions, including The Brady Bunch, The Flying Nun, Room 222 and Dynasty. However, his role as Billy Batson remained his most recognisable performance, introducing generations of viewers to a live-action superhero adventure centred on courage and doing what was right.
Although he eventually stepped away from Hollywood after feeling typecast, he maintained a connection with entertainment through fan conventions and later appearances. In 2023, he returned to the Shazam! universe with a cameo in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, creating a memorable link between the original series and its modern film adaptation.
Tributes have highlighted Gray's warmth, humour and genuine affection for his fans. Former Shazam! co-star John Davey remembered him as a loving and kind man who enjoyed acting and treasured opportunities to meet audiences at comic conventions. Gray is survived by his wife, Stacy Benon Gray, whom he married in 1994, and his stepchildren, Ryan and Laurel Cooper.
As fans revisit his performances, his passing marks the loss of an actor whose work helped shape a beloved chapter of television superhero entertainment. His legacy will live on through the characters he portrayed and the lasting memories he created for viewers who grew up watching him on screen.
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