Culture 3 min read By Morgan Griffin
Michael Wright, Star of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘V,’ Dies at 70
Actor Michael Wright, known for his roles in “The Five Heartbeats,” “Streamers,” “The Principal” and “V,” has died at age 70. His wife announced his passing on Instagram.
Michael Wright, the actor whose career spanned stage and screen with memorable turns in “The Five Heartbeats,” “Streamers,” “The Principal” and the sci-fi series “V,” has died. He was 70. His wife, Susan Wright, announced his death in a post shared Friday evening on Instagram, writing that she was sharing the news “with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart.”
Wright died Aug. 19 in Los Angeles, according to a statement from his family. No cause of death was provided. The announcement did not include details about memorial services or surviving family members beyond his wife.
Born in New York City, Wright built his reputation in the 1980s with a series of striking film roles. He appeared in Robert Altman’s 1983 ensemble drama “Streamers,” which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and later took on the role of a troubled student in the 1987 action drama “The Principal,” opposite James Belushi. In 1991, he joined the ensemble of Robert Townsend’s “The Five Heartbeats,” a musical drama about a fictional R&B group navigating the music industry, where he played the group’s lead singer, Eddie King Jr.
On television, Wright gained a devoted following as a series regular on the 1980s science-fiction hit “V,” playing the resistance fighter Elias Taylor. He later appeared in the HBO prison drama “Oz” and had roles in “Sugar Hill” and other projects. His filmography also includes appearances in “The Return of Superfly” and “Jungle Fever,” among others.
Wright’s stage work was equally notable. He performed in several Broadway productions, including “The Me Nobody Knows” and “Via Galactica,” and was part of the original cast of “The Wiz” in the 1970s. His theater credits also included regional productions and off-Broadway work that earned him critical attention early in his career.
Throughout his career, Wright was praised for his intensity and range, moving between dramatic roles in independent films and more commercial projects. His performance in “The Five Heartbeats” remains a touchstone for audiences who discovered the film on home video and cable, where it developed a lasting cult following.
News of his death prompted tributes from colleagues and fans on social media, with many recalling his work in “V” and “The Five Heartbeats” as defining performances of their era. The family’s statement did not indicate whether a public memorial would be held.
