{"id":822211,"date":"2026-08-22T15:20:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/822211\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T15:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:20:10","slug":"the-five-heartbeats-star-michael-wright-dead-at-70-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/822211\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Five Heartbeats’ star Michael Wright dead at 70"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe Five Heartbeats\u201d star Michael Wright has died<\/a>. He was 70.<\/p>\n

The actor died Wednesday in Los Angeles after suffering heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease, his family told TMZ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wright was best known for playing talented but troubled singer Eddie King Jr. in the 1991 musical drama \u201cThe Five Heartbeats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Actor Michael Wright, seen above at the NYC premiere of \u201cPinero\u201d in December 2001, has died. He was 70. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Wright was best known for playing talented but troubled singer Eddie King Jr. in the 1991 musical drama \u201cThe Five Heartbeats.\u201d The cast is seen at the film\u2019s premiere in March of that year. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The New York City native began his decades-long acting career in the late 1970s, landing a breakout role as Clinton in the 1979 film \u201cThe Wanderers.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to appear in Robert Altman\u2019s 1983 film \u201cStreamers\u201d before starring as Victor Duncan opposite Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr. in 1987\u2019s \u201cThe Principal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Four years later, Wright took on his memorable role as Eddie in \u201cThe Five Heartbeats,\u201d which followed the rise and struggles of a fictional R&B vocal group.<\/p>\n

He later starred opposite Wesley Snipes as Raynathan Skuggs in the 1994 crime drama \u201cSugar Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright\u2019s family revealed the actor died Wednesday in Los Angeles after suffering heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The New York City native began his decades-long acting career in the late 1970s, landing a breakout role as Clinton in the 1979 film \u201cThe Wanderers.\u201d Getty Images<\/p>\n

Wright\u2019s other big-screen credits included \u201cMoney Talks\u201d with Chris Tucker, \u201cPoint Blank\u201d with Mickey Rourke and \u201cThe Interpreter\u201d alongside Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.<\/p>\n

The actor also built an extensive television resum\u00e9 throughout his nearly five-decade career.<\/p>\n

He played Elias Taylor in the 1980s sci-fi franchise \u201cV\u201d and later portrayed inmate Omar White on HBO\u2019s prison drama \u201cOz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright also appeared in \u201cMiami Vice,\u201d \u201cNew York Undercover\u201d and \u201cBlack Lightning.\u201d<\/p>\n

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His wife, Susan Wright, paid tribute to the late actor in a statement announcing his death, remembering him as an \u201cextraordinary artist whose work touched generations.\u201d \u00a920thCentFox\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n

\u201cHis 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,\u201d she shared on Instagram. Getty Images<\/p>\n

His wife, Susan Wright, paid tribute to the late actor in a statement announcing his death<\/a>, remembering him as an \u201cextraordinary artist whose work touched generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis 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,\u201d she shared on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Susan said the family was grieving an \u201cenormous and deeply personal loss\u201d and asked for privacy as they mourn.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael, your work will live forever, but your love will live even longer in the hearts of those who knew you best,\u201d she concluded. \u201cRest peacefully, my love. You will be missed beyond words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright is survived by his wife, daughter and stepchildren.<\/p>\n

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