‘Shazam!’ Star Michael Gray and His Surprising Holiday Gift
What To Know
- Michael Gray, who played Billy Batson on the 1970s TV show Shazam!, shared a close off-screen friendship with his co-star Les Tremayne, who played Mentor.
- Les Tremayne was a legendary radio star whose voice was once as recognizable as Bing Crosby’s, making him a household name for generations, including Gray’s parents.
- Gray once surprised his parents by bringing Tremayne to a holiday dinner, creating a cherished memory that highlighted the value of time and friendship over material gifts.
Growing up, one of my favorite Saturday morning TV programs was the live-action Filmation version of Shazam!, which debuted on CBS in 1974. On that show, Jackson Bostwick played Captain Marvel, while teen heartthrob Michael Gray played his younger alter-ego reporter, Billy Batson. Rounding out the cast was Les Tremayne, who played the character Mentor.
On-screen, Mentor was there to guide Billy, helping him recognize those special moments when he needed to say the magic word, “Shazam!” and summon one of the world’s mightiest mortals. However, a recent interview on Pat McCormack’s Golden Rage of TV podcast revealed that the bond between Michael Gray and his co-star Les Tremayne extended far beyond their work.
Who was Les Tremayne?
Les Tremayne was a veteran of the entertainment industry with a career stretching back to the Golden Age of radio. During that era, he was a household name, captivating audiences with his commanding voice and versatile performances. In the 1930s and ’40s, he was one of the most popular entertainers on the airwaves, lending his voice to a multitude of shows ranging from gritty dramas to lighthearted comedies.
Everett Collection
Radio listeners, both young and old, tuned in faithfully, eagerly anticipating the next adventure brought to life by Les’s remarkable talent. His voice became a staple in the homes of countless families, including that of Michael’s parents. In fact, at one point in his career, the only voice more recognizable to the American public than Les’s was Bing Crosby‘s.
Imagine the sheer astonishment then, when Michael decided to surprise his parents with an early Christmas gift by bringing Les with him to a holiday dinner. While that might not seem like a big deal to us today, to Michael’s parents, having Les at their table was akin to one of us having Tom Cruise or Sandra Bullock over for dinner. They were absolutely flabbergasted.
For Michael’s parents, this unexpected gift became a treasured memory they would fondly recall for years. It was the kind of gift that is all too rare these days; it wasn’t something with monetary value but was instead simply the gift of time, not just Les’s time, but Michael’s as well. His parents treasured the time he spent with them even after fame had come his way.
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Although Les passed away in 2003, Michael still frequently posts on social media recalling his friendship with this legendary entertainer. Each time I see a post by Michael about Les, I am reminded of how close these two clearly were. It is evident that Les truly earned the name “Mentor”, not just on the TV show they worked on together so long ago, but in real life as well.
Toys & Games
November/December 2025
Fire up the Easy-Bake Oven, dust off that pogo stick, tickle that Elmo and get ready to blast back to a time when batteries were not included
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