Who was Michael Wright? Beloved 'The Five Heartbeats' and 'V' actor dies at 70
Who was Michael Wright? Beloved 'The Five Heartbeats' and 'V' actor dies at 70
Gladys Altamarino Sun, August 23, 2026 at 1:56 AM UTC
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"The Five Heartbeats" Premiere - 2021 Tribeca Festival ©Getty
Michael Wright, best known for his roles in The Five Heartbeats and the television series V, has died at 70.
Wright died on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at UCI Medical Center in California, his wife, Susan Wright, told NBC News. He was surrounded by his wife and kids when he took his last breath.
According to his family, Michael Wright died peacefully after complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare neurological condition he was diagnosed with in 2015. He also experienced complications related to heart failure.
As indicated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a rare condition where damage occurs to the main structure of nerve fibers connecting the two halves of the brain due to an extreme deficiency of B vitamins and long-term heavy alcohol use.
At the time of Michael Wright's passing, his wife Susan issued an official statement on Friday, in which she fondly recalled Michael as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
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"The Five Heartbeats" Premiere - 2021 Tribeca Festival - Source: Getty
"It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright. 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."
Susan Wright went on:
"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."
A glimpse into Michael Wright's acting career
Michael Wright made a career in both films and TV series that stretched for many years. He began his acting career in 1979 with The Wanderers, a film about a gang of teens from the Bronx, New York City.
He featured in the movie Streamers, produced in 1983, and won acclaim in the Venice Film Festival. Michael Wright and the film's ensemble cast shared the festival's Best Actor award that year.
His other important works included The Principal, V, and The Five Heartbeats, which is the 1991 musical drama by Robert Townsend. He was known by his filmography and TV shows that made him an entertainer to many people for many years.
Susan Wright expressed in her statement that her husband's acting will always remain alive because of the characters he played and that she could not forget how significant he was to his family.
"We understand how much Michael meant to so many people, and we are grateful for the love, prayers, memories, and condolences already being shared."
Susan Wright continued:
"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."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
