Actor Michael Wright, known for his roles in "The Five Heartbeats," "Streamers," and "Oz," died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 70 years old.
His family reported that his death was due to heart failure combined with complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare neurological disorder. Wright's wife, Susan Wright, confirmed his passing in an emotional Instagram post on Friday.
Born April 30, 1956, in New York City, Wright pursued acting with dedication, even working as a janitor at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute to afford lessons. His career in film and television spanned several decades.
Wright gained significant recognition for his role as Eddie King Jr., the troubled lead singer, in Robert Townsend's 1991 film "The Five Heartbeats." His intense portrayal of a musician battling alcohol and drug addiction is considered one of his most iconic performances.
His other notable film roles include playing Clinton in the 1979 film "The Wanderers," starring opposite Wesley Snipes in the 1994 crime drama "Sugar Hill," and portraying an unpredictable army recruit named Carlyle in Robert Altman's 1983 war drama "Streamers." For his performance in "Streamers," Wright received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.
On television, Wright was known for his role as resistance fighter Elias Taylor in the 1983 sci-fi miniseries "V" and its sequels. He also played the poet-inmate Omar White in HBO's prison drama "Oz" from 2001 to 2003.
In a 2021 interview with Sheen Magazine, Wright reflected on his life and career, emphasizing the importance of experience and embracing opportunities. "Go everywhere, do everything you possibly can. Enrich your experience," he advised. He also spoke about his passion for acting, stating, "The greatest sin an actor can commit, is to fail to be interesting."
Susan Wright stated that her family is grieving their "enormous and deeply personal loss" and expressed gratitude for the condolences received. Information regarding a memorial service will be shared at a later date.
