Episode 9: Michael Gray

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We present a new interview in our series with those who were a
part of making it happen.  And this time around, we have the
man himself, Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson
on Shazam!  Michael talks with us about his
career, his time on Shazam! including his favorite
episodes, his dealing with typecasting and how it is so different
for actors playing hero types today, and his comeback starting
with an appearance on Archer.


 


Good looks and a couple of television roles helped to
give actor Michael Gray many years in between and on
the covers of Tiger Beat magazine.  Born in
Chicago, Michael moved to Florida when he was a young boy.


 


He caught the acting bug in high school, and eventually made
his way to Hollywood.  In 1972, Michael won the role of
Ronnie on the NBC series The Little People, a
charming sitcom that starred Brian Keith as a pediatrician
with a practice on Oahu, Hawaii.  The series was reworked
for the second season and retitled The Brian Keith Show, and
Michael was let go.


 


Signed to a management deal with Charles Laufer, pubisher of
"Tiger Beat," Michael was able to keep a high profile while
rounding up other acting roles. Michael's second series came
in 1974, when he was cast in his signature role, as
Billy Batson on the Saturday morning series Shazam.
 The series ran for 3 years but was then cancelled due
to increasing production costs.


 


Some of Michael's other credits include:


 


Life with Father              
   Entertainment Tonight


Room 222                
           MTV's  - I Love the
70's


The Brady Bunch              
E Television, Life After Stardom


Marcus Welby M.D.           The Rretro
Radio Live Show


The Flying Nun              
   VH1 - Superheros, Where Are


Dynasty                
                 
       They Now?


 


Although Michael Gray had all the tools one would expect to
be necessary to build a sturdy career, due to type casting
it became harder for him to make


 a living at his craft.


 


The ever youthful Michael Gray is happily married and living in
Northern California.  He is currently writing a book about
his life in Hollywood.


 


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