Michael Wright death: The Five Heartbeats star dies aged 70
Michael Wright death: The Five Heartbeats star dies aged 70
Tom MurraySat, August 22, 2026 at 12:25 PM UTC
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Michael Wright, the actor best known for his powerful performance as Eddie King Jr. in the cult classic 1991 musical drama The Five Heartbeats, has died at age 70.
In a statement sent to TMZ, Wright’s family said he died in Los Angeles Wednesday after suffering heart failure coupled with complications of a rare degenerative neurological disease called Marchiafava-Bignami.
The news was announced by his wife, Susan, on Instagram on Friday.
“It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright,” Susan wrote in a statement shared by TV personality Madina Milana.
“Michael was a husband, a father (Manon Wright, Byron Barr, Brittney Briggs, Brianna Barr, Sir Barr, a grandfather (Yoko), loved one, a friend, and an extraordinary artist whose work touched generations,” she continued.
Wright died of heart failure coupled with complications of a rare degenerative neurological disease called Marchiafava-Bignami, his family said (Getty)
“Many knew and loved him through The Five Heartbeats, The Wanderers, V, The Principal, Streamers, and the many other characters he brought to life throughout his remarkable career. His talent, presence, and contributions to film and television will live on, but to those of us who loved him personally, he was so much more than the roles the world knew him for.
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“Our family is grieving an enormous and deeply personal loss. We understand how much Michael meant to so many people, and we are grateful for the love, prayers, memories, and condolences already being shared.We respectfully ask the public, members of the media, and those who knew and admired Michael to please allow our family the privacy and grace to grieve during this incredibly difficult time.
“We also ask that people refrain from sharing unconfirmed information or speaking on behalf of our family.In the coming days, when we are ready, we will share additional information regarding Michael’s life, legacy, and how we intend to honor and celebrate him. Michael, your work will live forever, but your love will live even longer in the hearts of those who knew you best. Rest peacefully, my love. You will be missed beyond words.”
Wright (right) starred alongside Tico Wells, Leon and Robert Townsend in ‘The Five Heartbeats,’ which followed the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s R&B vocal group over three decades (Getty)
Wright was born in 1956 and raised in New York City. He made his feature-film debut as Clinton, leader of the Del Bombers gang, in Philip Kaufman’s 1979 coming-of-age drama The Wanderers. The film, adapted from Richard Price’s novel and set among rival teenage gangs in 1960s New York, became a cult favourite.
He went on to star in the NBC science fiction miniseries V, the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle, and V: The Series as Elias Taylor. He also appeared in the Robert Altman film Streamers (1983), for which he won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
He is perhaps best known for his role in The Five Heartbeats, which followed the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s R&B vocal group over three decades.
A decade after The Five Heartbeats, he joined HBO’s groundbreaking prison drama Oz, playing Omar White across 22 episodes between 2001 and 2003.
Wright continued to work in film and television throughout the following years, appearing in movies including Sugar Hill, Money Talks, Piñero and The Interpreter. His later credits included the television comedy Rel and the superhero series Black Lightning, in which he played Lazarus Prime.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
