Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Michael Wright, Five Heartbeats and Sugar Hill Star Dies
Michael Wright was an actor who appeared in movies and television shows.
He was best known for playing Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats.
He also played Wesley Snipes’ brother in Sugar Hill.
Wright appeared in shows such as V and Oz.
He died in Los Angeles at age 70.
Reports said he had heart failure and complications from a rare brain disease.
His wife, Susan, shared a message mourning him.
Wright began acting after studying at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
He is survived by five children and a grandchild.
Michael Wright, known for The Five Heartbeats and Sugar Hill, has died at 70.
Wright died Wednesday in Los Angeles from heart failure and complications of Marchiafava-Bignami disease, according to TMZ.
His wife, Susan, announced the family’s loss and remembered his enduring work and love.
He also appeared in V, Oz, The Wanderers, Streamers, The Interpreter and Black Lightning.
Wright is survived by five children and one grandchild.
- Who
- Actor Michael Wright, whose wife Susan announced his death, died at age 70.
- What
- Wright died after a career spanning films including The Five Heartbeats and Sugar Hill and television series including V and Oz.
- When
- He died Wednesday; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- The reported causes were heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease.
- Age at death
- 70
- Best-known role
- Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats (1991)
- Other notable film role
- Raynathan Skuggs in Sugar Hill (1994)
- Television roles
- Elias Taylor in V and Omar White in Oz
- Reported cause of death
- Heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease
- Survivors
- Five children and one grandchild
- Film debut
- The Wanderers (1979), as Clinton