Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Michael Wright, The Five Heartbeats Actor, Dies at 70
Michael Wright was an actor who worked in movies and television for more than 40 years.
He became widely known for playing Clinton in The Wanderers.
He also played Carlyle in Streamers, a role that won him a major acting award.
Many people knew him as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats.
He appeared in films such as Sugar Hill and The Principal.
On television, he played characters in V and Oz.
His wife, Susan Wright, announced that he had died at age 70.
The family did not say what caused his death.
They asked fans and the media to give them privacy while they grieve.
Michael Wright, known for The Five Heartbeats, Streamers and Sugar Hill, has died at 70.
His wife, Susan Wright, announced his death in a family statement shared on social media.
Reports differ on whether the announcement was made Friday evening or Saturday.
The cause of death was not disclosed, and the family requested privacy.
Wright’s four-decade career included The Wanderers, V, The Principal, Oz and other films and television shows.
- Who
- Actor Michael Wright; his death was announced by his wife, Susan Wright.
- What
- Wright died at age 70 after a career spanning film and television.
- When
- His death was announced either Friday evening or Saturday, according to differing reports.
- Where
- The location of his death was not stated.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed.
- Age at death
- 70
- Career
- More than four decades in film and television
- Announcement
- Susan Wright shared the family statement on social media; reports differ on whether it was Friday evening or Saturday.
- Breakthrough film
- The Wanderers (1979), in which Wright played Clinton
- Acting award
- Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for Streamers
- Notable television roles
- Elias Taylor in V and Omar White in Oz
- Family request
- The family asked fans and media to respect their privacy.
