Michael Wright, ‘Sugar Hill’ and ‘Five Heartbeats’ Star, Dead at 70

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Michael Wright.

The veteran actor, perhaps best known for his unforgettable turn as Eddie King Jr. in ‘The Five Heartbeats’, has died aged 70.

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Wright’s family confirmed the sad news to TMZ, revealing that he died Wednesday (August 19) in Los Angeles after suffering heart failure alongside complications from Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease.

Born in New York City in 1956, the actor amassed a screen career spanning almost five decades.

After early roles in ‘The Wanderers’ and Robert Altman’s ‘Streamers’, Wright would go on to land the part that became synonymous with his career: troubled lead singer Eddie King Jr. in Robert Townsend’s 1991 musical drama ‘The Five Heartbeats’.

Three years later, he starred opposite Wesley Snipes in ‘Sugar Hill’. His extensive credits also included ‘Money Talks’, ‘The Interpreter’, and HBO’s acclaimed prison drama ‘Oz’.

Wright is survived by his wife, Susan Wright, as well as his daughter and stepchildren.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.

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