Actor Michael Wright, known for 'The Five Heartbeats', dies at 70
Michael Wright, the actor best remembered for his role as Eddie King Jr. in the 1991 film 'The Five Heartbeats', died at age 70, with his wife confirming the death on Instagram.
Actor Michael Wright died at age 70, his wife Susan Wright announced in an Instagram post on Friday. She said the couple would share further details about his life and plans for a memorial in the coming days.
Wright was most recognized for playing troubled singer Eddie King Jr. in Robert Townsend’s 1991 musical drama "The Five Heartbeats," a film that has since achieved cult-classic status. His career spanned nearly five decades and included roles in the 1983 film "Streamers," for which he earned the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, as well as appearances on HBO’s "Oz" and the 1994 crime drama "Sugar Hill."
Born on April 30, 1956, in New York City, Wright began acting in the late 1970s and later described himself as an “underrated” talent in a 2021 profile. He also noted that he had traveled widely and spoken five languages.
Following the news, users on social media posted tributes, with one author writing “Rest in power” and a film-focused account recalling Wright’s performances in "The Five Heartbeats" and other movies.