Shazam! Star Michael Gray Dies At 75

Published Oct 22, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT Jennifer is a TV and Movie News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media in 2022 when she first joined Valnet at CBR before coming to ScreenRant. Jennifer loves TV, especially science fiction. She also loves late-night talk shows, due to her insomnia. Alien: Earth is definitely one of her favorite shows, and she jumps on any chance she gets to write about it. Even on her days off, she will claim an Alien Earth article if one is available. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are two of her favorite late-night hosts, and Conan O'Brien before he left his show. Her Alien: Earth coverage for ScreenRant is by far the work that she is most proud of so far. She was initially a finance and political editor, but her passion for pop culture convinced her to transition into entertainment journalism. During her off time, she loves to binge-watch cooking shows such as Kitchen Nightmares. Jennifer also loves spending time with her daughter and cherishes every moment of it. Sign in to your ScreenRant account This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.The beloved star of the classic Shazam! TV series, Michael Gray has sadly passed away at 75. Gray died on Friday, October 16, 2026, with his publicist confirming the news on Thursday, October 22, 2026. His death was reportedly due to natural causes. Gray skyrocketed to fame during the 1970s, after he was cast in CBS's superhero series Shazam! where he portrayed Billy Batson. Born on September 2, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, Gray has become a household name in television. One of his earliest roles was in the NBC sitcom The Little People, which premiered in 1972 and was later renamed The Brian Keith Show. The actor portrayed Ronnie Collins alongside Brian Keith (Dr. Sean Jamison) and Shelley Fabares (Dr. Anne Jamison). Eventually, Gray introduced a new generation of viewers to the live-action version of the DC Comics character. The actor played a teenage version of Billy throughout the series' three-season run, which began in September 1974 and concluded in October 1976. The series followed the superhero as he traveled across the country helping others, transforming into an adult superhero named Captain Marvel whenever he said "shazam." Although Gray portrayed Billy, the character was played by two different actors. Jackson Bostwick initially took on the role of Captain Marvel before John Davey replaced him. Together, the actors brought the comic book hero to TV years before the classic DC character was adapted for the big screen. In 1973, when Gray appeared on one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, The Brady Bunch. He portrayed Jeff, the boyfriend of Marcia Brady, who was played by Maureen McCormick, in the episode "Marcia Gets Creamed," which aired during the show's fifth and final season. More to come...