NEWARK, N.J. -- A funeral will be held Friday in Los Angeles for L. Michael Gray, a Broadway actor who also provided the trademark 'Hey, hey, hey' for the television cartoon character 'Fat Albert.' He was 35.
Gray died Saturday at St. Michael's Hospital after collapsing on a Newark street, hospital spokesman Pat Johnson. The actor suffered a pulmonary embolism attributed to his overweight condition, Johnson said.
Gray appeared on the New York stage in the Broadway musical 'The Wiz' and in 'Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.' He had also toured as a gospel singer and in various productions.
He was also the voice of 'Fat Albert' in the Saturday morning network cartoon series based on the character created by comedian Bill Cosby.
He had recently moved from New York to Newark, Johnson said.
Services are scheduled Saturday at West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Gray is survived by his father, J.W. Gray, and his mother, Clara Gray.
