Michael Gray, the US actor who played Billy Batson in 1970s superhero series 'Shazam!', dies aged 75

Gray died of natural causes on 16 October, and his publicist confirmed the news this week. The former Tiger Beat cover star played Billy Batson, the teenager who became Captain Marvel by shouting 'Shazam!', in 28 episodes between 1974 and 1976. He walked away from Hollywood after feeling typecast and returned in 2016. Nearly five decades on, he had a cameo in 2023's 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods'.

Gray was just 23 when he landed the defining role of Billy Batson.

In 1973 he appeared in 'The Brady Bunch' as Jeff, Marcia's boyfriend.

'Archer' cast him as a fictional version of himself, Sterling Archer's childhood hero.