The Five Heartbeats actor Michael Wright dies aged 70 as devastated wife pays tribute to ‘extraordinary artist’

THE Five Heartbeats star Michael Wright has died aged 70. His devastated wife paid tribute to the “extraordinary artist”, who suffered heart failure and complications. Michael Wright has died aged 70 Credit: Shutterstock Michael was best known for his role as singer Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats Credit: Alamy Michael died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The actor’s family told TMZ he died after battling Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! He was best known for his role as singer Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats. Michael was survived by his wife, children and step children. His wife Susan announced his death in an emotional tribute on Instagram. She described her husband as “an extraordinary artist whose work touched generations”. Susan wrote: “Many knew and loved him through The Five Heartbeats, The Wanderers, V, The Principal, Streamers, and the many other characters he brought to life throughout his remarkable career. “His talent, presence, and contributions to film and television will live on, but to those of us who loved him personally, he was so much more than the roles the world knew him for.” Most read in Entertainment Michael starring in the 1991 film the Five Heartbeats Credit: Alamy Michael Wright with costars Harry Lennix, Tico Wells, Robert Townsend and Leon Credit: Alamy “Michael, your work will live forever, but your love will live even longer in the hearts of those who knew you best. “Rest peacefully, my love. You will be missed beyond words.” Michael was born in New York City in 1956, getting his big break with a part in The Wanderers in 1979. He worked alongside with Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr. in the 1987 comedy hit The Principal, playing Victor Duncan. His most famous role was in the 1991 musical The Five Heartbeats, before he snagged another huge major role playing opposite Wesley Snipes three years later in Sugar Hill. Other big screen credits included The Interpreter where he worked alongside Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn and the 1997 film Money Talks. Micheal also appeared on TV across his five-decade-long career, with roles including in Oz and V: The Series. The star said he didn’t have anything he would do over in a 2021 interview with Sheen magazine. He said at the time: “I’ve done everything I have wanted to do. I’ve been everywhere, I speak five different languages. “I have seen the world; I love my experiences.” Comment now