Actor Michael Wright, Star of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘V,’ Dies at 70
Michael Wright, an actor known for his roles in “The Five Heartbeats,” “Streamers,” “The Principal” and “V,” has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 70.
His wife, Susan Wright, announced his death in a post shared Friday evening on Instagram. “It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright,” her statement read.
Wright’s family said he died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 19, after suffering heart failure coupled with complications of degenerative neurological disease Marchiafava-Bignami, according to a statement provided to TMZ.
Wright was born on April 30, 1956, in New York City. He appeared in more than 50 movies and TV shows, including the films “The Five Heartbeats,” Robert Altman’s Vietnam drama “Streamers,” “Sugar Hill” and “The Wanderers.” His TV credits include the 1980s sci-fi series “V” and HBO’s “Oz.” In the Robert Townsend-directed 1991 musical film “The Five Heartbeats,” about a fictional Motown group, Wright played the band’s charismatic lead vocalist, Eddie King Jr., whose alcohol and drug addiction forces him to leave the Heartbeats.
“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,” Susan’s statement said. “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.”
Her statement continued, “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. … 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.”
Susan concluded, “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.”
In a 2021 interview with Sheen Magazine, Wright said, “The greatest sin an actor can commit is to fail to be interesting. I always try to make my characters interesting. I want you to be riveted and wonder what’s going on behind my eyes.” Wright also said there wasn’t anything in his life he would do over: “I’ve done everything I have wanted to do. I’ve been everywhere, I speak five different languages. I have seen the world; I love my experiences.”