Michael Wright, the actor remembered for standout performances in The Five Heartbeats, Streamers and Oz, has died at the age of 70.
Wright died Wednesday in Los Angeles after suffering heart failure, along with complications tied to Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare neurological disorder, his family said in a statement to TMZ.
His wife, Susan Wright, announced the death of her husband on Friday evening in an emotional post on Instagram that was accompanied by a carousel of photos including one from their wedding and behind-the-scenes stills.
‘It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright,’ his wife wrote.
Born in New York City on April 30, 1956, Wright was raised in the city and went on to build a film and television career that stretched across several decades.
Long before his best-known screen roles, Wright approached acting with humility and determination. In a 2021 interview with Sheen Magazine, he recalled mopping floors at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute to help pay for his training.
Michael Wright, known for roles in The Five Heartbeats, Streamers and Oz, died Wednesday in Los Angeles from heart failure and complications from the rare neurological disorder Marchiafava-Bignami. He is pictured above in 2001 at the New York City premiere of Pinero
Wright’s most celebrated role came in the 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. Above, Tico Wells, Leon, director Robert Townsend and Wright are seen at the BET Awards in Los Angeles in 2011
Among Wright’s notable credits were The Five Heartbeats in 1991; Streamers in 1983, which earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival; Sugar Hill in 1994 alongside Wesley Snipes; and The Wanderers in 1979, where he portrayed Clinton, leader of the Del Bombers gang.
His many television credits included the 1980s sci-fi series V and HBO’s prison drama series Oz (2001-2003), in which he played the poet-inmate Omar White.
But Wright’s most iconic and best-known role was in The Five Heartbeats, directed by Robert Townsend, about a fictional Motown band.
Wright earned praise for his intense performance as the troubled lead singer Eddie King Jr, depicting the change from confident superstar to broken man whose alcohol and drug addiction forces him to leave the band.
Wright’s portrayal of Eddie remains an unforgettable screen presence that fans still quote to this day, according to the director’s Instagram.
‘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,’ his wife shared.
‘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.’
In Robert Altman’s 1983 war drama Streamers, Wright played an unpredictable and trigger-tempered army recruit named Carlyle
Wright, left, starred in the 1994 crime drama Sugar Hill opposite Wesley Snipes, right, about two drug-dealing brothers in Harlem
The New York City-born star had a prominent role as resistance fighter Elias Taylor in the 1983 sci-fi miniseries V and it’s sequels
Susan’s 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….’
Susan added that official plans regarding a memorial service will be shared at a later date.
‘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,’ she wrote.
In conclusion, she added: ‘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 that 2021 interview with Sheen Magazine, Wright was asked to name ‘something that people might not know about you.’
‘I love to fish… I’ve been diving all around the world, fished around the world, lived with the Maasai in Tanzania, lived in Dakar and Senegal. I’ve swam with sharks. I’ve been everywhere,’ he answered.
When speaking about the ‘biggest life lesson [he] learned along the way,’ Wright said: ‘Well, you know… go everywhere, do everything you possibly can. Enrich your experience.
‘That’s the best way to be the best that you can be. Leave nothing to chance. Focus yourself and just do it.’
Wright went on to tell the outlet: ‘The greatest sin an actor can commit, is to fail to be interesting.
Wright reunited with The Five Heartbeats cast and director during the 2021 Tribeca Festival in New York City
‘Go everywhere, do everything you possibly can. Enrich your experience,’ Wright told Sheen Magazine in 2021 when asked about the biggest life lesson he had learned. Above, Wright in 2018 attending a special screening of the documentary Making The Five Heartbeats
‘I always try to make my characters interesting. I want you to be riveted and wonder what’s going on behind my eyes. I want the audience to think along with me and go on an internal journey.
‘It’s the minute things that you do that make a characterization compelling. The thing I longed for the most was when I knew that the audience was so captivated that I could hear the chairs creak as they were bending forward with anticipation.
‘That is the most fulfilling moment, it’s incredible. You’ve captivated them, you’ve bonded with them and they are hanging on your every emotion. That’s powerful,’ he added.
Though born and raised in New York City, later in life Wright lived in Los Angeles.
