Michael Gray, the American actor remembered for playing Billy Batson in the 1970s television series Shazam!, was a stepfather to two children, Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper, through his marriage to Stacy Benon. Gray, who passed away in October 2026 at age 75, maintained a relatively private family life despite his lasting popularity among superhero television fans. Publicly available accounts identify Ryan and Laurel as his stepchildren, while there is no widely verified information confirming that he had biological children.
Born on September 2, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, Gray became a familiar television personality during the 1970s. Away from acting, he built a family life with Stacy and spent many years working outside the entertainment industry.
How Many Children Did Michael Gray Have?
Michael Gray had two publicly identified stepchildren, Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper.
They were Stacy Benon’s children from an earlier relationship and became part of Gray’s family through his marriage.
Although some online biographies refer generally to Gray’s children, available family accounts distinguish Ryan and Laurel as his stepchildren.
There is no reliable public confirmation that the actor had biological sons or daughters.
Gray rarely discussed his parenting experiences in interviews, preferring to keep family matters separate from his acting career.
Who Is Michael Gray’s Stepson Ryan Cooper?
Ryan Cooper is identified as one of Michael Gray’s two stepchildren.
He became part of Gray’s extended family through the actor’s marriage to Stacy Benon.
Unlike his stepfather, who became recognizable through television, Ryan has generally remained outside the entertainment spotlight.
Reliable public information about his age, profession, and personal relationships is limited.
Gray did not frequently share details about Ryan in interviews or public appearances.
As a result, much of their family relationship remained private.
Michael Gray’s Stepdaughter Laurel Cooper
Laurel Cooper is Michael Gray’s stepdaughter and the daughter of Stacy Benon.
Like her brother Ryan, Laurel has maintained a relatively private life.
There are few verified public details about her education, career, or family circumstances.
Gray’s professional recognition did not lead to extensive public coverage of his stepchildren.
The family’s decision to maintain privacy helped separate their personal lives from the attention surrounding his role in Shazam!.
Who Was the Mother of Michael Gray’s Stepchildren?
Stacy Benon is the mother of Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper.
She married Michael Gray in 1994, beginning a relationship that continued for more than three decades.
The couple shared professional interests outside Hollywood and operated a florist business in West Hollywood.
Their business served clients connected to the entertainment industry, allowing Gray to maintain relationships with Hollywood while pursuing work beyond acting.
Stacy generally avoided extensive media attention, although she occasionally appeared alongside her husband at public events.
Their marriage became an important part of Gray’s personal life after his early television success.
Michael Gray’s Family Life Away From Hollywood
Gray experienced a major career breakthrough when he was cast as Billy Batson in Shazam!, which premiered in 1974.
The series made him recognizable to young television audiences, but finding equally prominent roles afterward proved difficult.
He eventually explored other career opportunities, including work in retail and the floral industry.
His marriage to Stacy and connection with her children became part of the quieter life he established outside acting.
Although Gray occasionally returned to entertainment through conventions and special appearances, he did not regularly place his family in the public spotlight.
Michael Gray’s Acting Career and Family Legacy
Before becoming famous for Shazam!, Gray appeared in television productions including The Little People and The Brady Bunch.
His portrayal of Billy Batson remained his most recognizable role throughout his career.
In 2023, he appeared in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, making a cameo that delighted longtime fans of the original television series.
Gray continued participating in fan conventions and speaking about his experiences in entertainment.
While audiences primarily remember him as the original television Billy Batson, his personal life also included a long marriage and a family relationship with his two stepchildren.
Michael Gray’s family history was never as publicly documented as his acting career. Ryan Cooper and Laurel Cooper remain his two publicly identified stepchildren, and the actor’s decision to maintain family privacy means that additional personal details are limited.