Michael Wright, 'Five Heartbeats' Star, Dies at 70
Michael Wright died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 70. His family said heart failure combined with complications from Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease, caused his death.
- Wright was born April 30, 1956, in New York City.
- His career spanned nearly five decades and more than 50 films and TV roles.
- He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in the 1983 Robert Altman film 'Streamers.'
- He is survived by his wife Susan, a daughter, and stepchildren.
Why it matters: Wright's portrayal of troubled singer Eddie King Jr. in 'The Five Heartbeats' earned the 1991 film a devoted following. His career stretched from 1979's 'The Wanderers' through television roles on HBO's 'Oz' and the sci-fi series 'V.'
- Other screen credits included 'Sugar Hill' opposite Wesley Snipes, 'The Principal' with Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr., and 'The Interpreter' alongside Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
How 17 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 6 sources: The center presents the death factually, emphasizing the medical cause and a chronological career summary without extended tribute framing.
TMZ1w+'The Five Heartbeats' Star Michael Wright Dead at 70
Deadline1w+Michael Wright Dies: ‘The Five Heartbeats’ Star Was 70
Forbes1w+Michael Wright, ‘The Five Heartbeats’ And ‘V’ Star, Dies At 70
Newsweek1w+Actor Michael Wright of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ dies, Wife leads tributesPenPennLive1w+Popular actor, ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘V’ star, dead at 70
USA Today1w+Michael Wright, 'Five Heartbeats' and 'V' actor, dead at 70Left coverage, 6 sources: The left leads with Wright's artistic legacy and the emotional weight of his wife's tribute, foregrounding the breadth of his career and cultural impact.
The Independent1w+Michael Wright’s wife announces death of ‘beloved’ husband
Variety1w+Michael Wright Dead: Star of 'The Five Heartbeats,' 'V' Was 70CleCleveland.com1w+Popular actor, ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘V’ star, dead at 70
Complex1w+Michael Wright, Star of 'The Five Heartbeats,' Dies at 70 From Heart Failure
Hollywood Reporter1w+Michael Wright, Star of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘Sugar Hill,’ Dies at 70
NBC News1w+Actor Michael Wright, known for ‘The Five Heartbeats,’ dies at 70Right coverage, 5 sources: The right anchors on the headline cause of death and career milestones, giving prominent space to Susan Wright's tribute statement.
New York Post1w+R.I.P. Michael Wright: 'The Five Heartbeats' and 'Sugar Hill' Actor Dead at 70
Breitbart News1w+Michael Wright, ‘The Five Heartbeats’ Star, Dies at 70
Daily Mail1w+Michael Wright dead at 70: Acclaimed actor starred in The Five Heartbeats, Sugar Hill, Streamers and Oz
The Sun1w+The Five Heartbeats actor Michael Wright dies aged 70 as devastated wife pays tribute to ‘extraordinary artist’
The Washington Times1w+Michael Wright, 'Five Heartbeats' actor known for Eddie King Jr. role, dies at 70What’s next: His wife Susan announced the death Friday on Instagram and asked for family privacy.
- The family said it will share details about honoring Wright's life in the coming days.
- What form a public memorial or tribute event will take has not been announced.