Shazam! star Michael Gray dead at 75... actor starred on popular superhero series in mid 1970s

Actor Michael Gray, best known for his work on the superhero series Shazam!, has died of natural causes at the age of 75.Representatives for Gray told People on Thursday that the performer passed away on October 16.Gray played the role of Billy Batson across 28 episodes of the series based on the DC comic characters from 1974 to 1976. The premise saw a teen who turned into superhero Captain Marvel (played by Jackson Bostwick then John Davey) by uttering the phrase Shazam!,'I didn't know the character or the story when I was initially cast, so I had to be a quick study,' he shared in a 2012 Comic-Con panel. 'So it was fun and exhausting, challenging and thrilling, all at once.''It didn't matter that it was on Saturday morning or prime time - though the fact that it was one of the first few live-action shows on Saturday morning was exciting.' The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Gray for further comment on the story. Actor Michael Gray, best known for his work on the superhero series Shazam!, has died of natural causes at the age of 75. PAbove, in 2001 He spoke about his experience on the show during a 2012 appearance at the event Retro-TV Action-Adventure-Thon, Comic Book Resources reported.Gray said of being cast on the series: 'I don't recall really being in the audition, but I met with the people of the studio. The show was all shot within an hour, hour-and-a half from the studio in the Los Angeles Valley.'Lots of guys from the crew worked on the Lassie series. It was good, quality stuff for what it was back then. We did an episode in two-and-a-half days, shooting from sunrise to sunset.'Gray told Comic Book Resources that being a teen idol for a time 'was exhausting and thrilling.'He added: 'Before I took the role, I was told by a few people in the biz it wasn't a good idea - that I'll be typecast. But a job's a job, so I took it. It truly was a thrilling show to work on and ended way too soon as far as I'm concerned.'Gray made a cameo appearance in the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which starred Zachary Levi, Asher Angel and Rachel Zegler.In a statement, John Davey described Gray as 'just a loving, sweet guy with a great sense of humor.' Gray was raised in Miami Beach prior to landing in Southern California to pursue a career in show business Gray (R) played the role of Billy Batson across 28 episodes of the series from 1974–1976. Above, with co-star John DaveyHe added: 'He loved acting, loved doing the show and, in recent years, loved appearing at Comic-Cons. He really enjoyed meeting and chatting with the fans. Mike was a wonderful man - I don't think he ever stopped smiling.'The actor was born on September 2, 1951, and raised in Miami Beach prior to landing in Southern California to pursue a career in show business.Gray honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse, and the exposure he received on the cover of teen-oriented magazines at the time such as Tiger Beat paved the way to the role on the show Shazam!He made a series of appearances on TV shows such as Marcus Welby, MD, The Flying Nun and Room 222 before landing his first recurring role as Ronnie on the NBC series The Little People.He also appeared in an episode of The Brady Bunch as the boyfriend of Marcia (Maureen McCormick) in 1973.Gray had worked on films such as Run, Simon, Run; Beyond the Valley of the Dolls; and Myra Breckinridge.Following Shazam!, Gray took a break from show business and worked in different fields such as theater education, men’s fashion and a flower company he ran with his wife Stacy Benon Gray, according to Variety. In recent years, Gray appeared on FX's Archer and in the four films in the Surge of Power franchise, with his final role coming in 2024's Surge of Power: Where There's Smoke.Gray is survived by wife Stacy Benon Gray; stepchildren Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper; and son-in-law Lee Barker.