Michael Wright, best known for starring as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats, has passed away. He was 70.
Susan Wright, his wife, confirmed his passing in a post on Instagram on Friday, Aug. 21.
“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.
“Michael was a husband, a father (Manon Wright, Byron Barr, Brittney Briggs, Brianna Barr, Sir Barr, a grandfather (Yoko), a loved one, a friend, and an extraordinary artist whose work touched generations.” 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,” she continued. “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.”
WRIGHT’S CAUSE OF DEATH
In a statement to TMZ, Michael passed away in Los Angeles on Aug. 19 due to heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease.
“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,” she added.
Born in NYC in 1956, Michael debuted in The Wanderers (1979) before landing his breakout role as Elias Taylor in the 1983 sci-fi miniseries V. Later reprising the character in V: The Final Battle and its 1984–1985 series.
Beyond his television work, his film credits include Streamers (1983), The Principal (1987), The Five Heartbeats (1991), and Sugar Hill (1994). He also made notable appearances in hit series such as Nash Bridges, Miami Vice, New York Undercover, and Oz.
His final roles included an appearance in the Black Lightning TV series in 2019 and 2025’s Dope King.
Michael is survived by Susan, five children and a grandchild.