Charisma Madarang
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Michael Gray, the star of 'Shazam!' TV series, has died at 75. ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection Michael Gray, who starred as Billy Batson on the Seventies television show Shazam!, died on Oct. 16 in Palm Desert, California. A representative confirmed his death to Deadline. He was 75.
In 1972, Gray was cast in NBC’s The Little People. He appeared as student doctor Ronnie Collins on the first season alongside Brian Keith and Shelly Fabares. He would land his big break a few years later as Batson on the morning live-action show Shazam!, portraying a teenage kid who could turn into the flying superhero Captain Marvel (played by Jackson Bostwick and then John Davey) by uttering one word — “shazam.” The show aired for three seasons from 1974 to 1976.
Gray also featured in guest roles on other series including The Brady Bunch, appearing as Marcia’s boyfriend on a 1973 episode, Dynasty, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Flying Nun, and Room 222. His feature films during the Seventies included Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Myra Breckinridge.
