&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Who was Michael Wright? The Five Heartbeats actor dies at 70")
Actor Michael Wright, known for films including The Five Heartbeats, Streamers and Sugar Hill, has passed away at the age of 70. The news was confirmed by his wife Susan Wright on Saturday, and the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Susan took to social media to share the statement and has requested fans and the media to respect the family’s privacy.
Michael Wright dies at 70
Sharing the news of her husband's death, she wrote, "It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright."
She further added, "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."
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"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," she wrote, remembering his works.
The family said it was dealing with "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."
The statement also made it clear that "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."
Who was Michael Wright?
The actor has had a career for more than four decades in both films and television. He first gained widespread recognition with The Wanderers (1979), in which he played Clinton, the leader of the Del Bombers.
Then came his memorable performance as Carlyle in Robert Altman's Streamers. His work in the 1983 film earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.
Wright's other remarkable films include V, The Principal, Sugar Hill and The Interpreter. He also worked in HBO's prison drama Oz, where he portrayed Omar White.
But for many viewers, his most memorable performance came as Eddie King Jr. in Robert Townsend's 1991 musical drama The Five Heartbeats. He played the lead singer of the fictional R&B group whose rise to fame is accompanied by Eddie's increasingly difficult battle with alcohol and drug addiction.
