Michael Wright, 'The Five Heartbeats' actor, dies at 70

moviesAug 22, 2026321,250

Michael Wright, the actor best known for playing Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats, has died at 70, his family announced. His wife, Susan Wright, posted a statement on the actor’s personal social media account Friday evening, calling him an "extraordinary artist whose work" touched people. The family statement named Wright for his roles in The Five Heartbeats, The Principal, and the series V. The announcement did not provide a cause of death or a location for his passing. Wright’s family released the news through his personal account and asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve.

Phil Lewis

@phillewis.bsky.social

Michael Wright, a talented actor known for his roles in “The Five Heartbeats” and “Sugar Hill,” has died at 70

64745d ago

Daryll B18

All the love to my favorite TV revolutionary, Without Michael Wright? We don't get John Boyega's performance in Attack The Block! RIP to a LEGEND! Condolences to his Family, Friends & Fans!🙏

tabb1.bsky.social9

Eddie Kane. That performance was the entire movie. RIP Mr. Wright.

stompy6

i loved him as crazy ass omar white on OZ loved when he stabbed mcmanus lmao phenomenal actor

deb4detroit4

Rest In Paradise. I loved how passionate your performance was in both The Five Heartbeats and Sugar Hill. 🖤💯🕊️

Cari Corbett2

Sad he was much too young. May God cradle him.🙏🏻

Dustin2

Oh man! I loved him as Elias on “V” and i made sure I tried to see everything he was in. Such a talented actor who had such a great screen presence. RIP

Quoting this

Alonso Duralde22

RIP - his intense performance was a standout in Robert Altman’s Streamers.

Sean Padilla (He/They) Will Write a Good Song About Anything9

RIP to a legend 😞

Truekook⁷ ⊙⊝⊜7

I know he was mostly known for The Five Heartbeats but I remember him from V as one of the heroes. It was one of the first times I remember seeing a man who looked like my cousin in that kind of role on nighttime tv. And as Omar on Oz, he was so good. A real talent gone too soon.

Steven Santos5

I most remember Wright as the tragic Omar White in OZ.

Boute-en-Train2

what age can a kid watch the 5 Heartbeats? we gotta do a tribute.

Soulaan Knowles2

Such an underrated talent. Rest in perfect peace, uncle.

Keith T.2

Oh man. R.I.P. Eddie King Jr. from "The Five Heartbeats" 🙏

SinnamonS

@sinnamonscouture.bsky.social

RIP King 👑🙏🏽 😢 Michael Wright, remembered by many as Eddie King Jr. from The Five Heartbeats, has reportedly passed away at 70.

17045d ago

Quoting this

Spank Da Tank 😈🤠@ DREAMCON8

Aw shit man 😔 RIP 🕊️ He was cool af as Aaron in Money Talks

Good Garvey Day4

Finding out his name was Eddie King Jr in the movie was a shock to my central nervous system.

💜 Queen Mudda 💜3

I can't believe it. He was a wonderful talent, we've lost another gem. Rest well sir.

Thrice A Lady 💅🏿2

Aww man! May his soul rest in peace. 😔🕊

Strictly 4 My Navigators

@lizzslockeroom.bsky.social

Rest easy, Michael Wright 🙏🏾🕊💙 Eddie King.... or Eddie Kang, you left an impression on all of us.....

13745d ago

Pretty Khemyst3

Sang the breaks off this song!

Quoting this

Editor In Taste 🤌🏾11

Man was beyond terrific in this role

Original Cynn 💜2

🎵 Is there a heart, is there a heart in the house tonight? You've got to have love... 💔 Rest in Power Michael Wright.

Citizen.Coping

@propcazhpm.bsky.social

Rest in Peace Michel Wright. #BlackSky #FilmSky alt-text: photos of iconic African American actor from The Five Heartbeats and so many different roles

6045d ago

📚 🎶✊🏾

@honey.blacksky.app

There was a Robert Townsend residency in SF 2 weeks ago. I went to watch The Five Heartbeats (my favorite movie). The entire audience knew the movie word for word. It was a time. And then Robert talked with us about it. He ended the discussion with this tidbit about the Eddie King Jr church scene 🥺

4845d ago

Quoting this

DaBean.3

This is so so so dope. 🥹 I know that movie damn near by heart.

Bird Man

@percivalpenman.bsky.social

Man somebody schedule the BlackSky viewing of The Five Heartbeats. This is tragic.

1545d ago

Quoting this

cognitive dissonance is a helluva drug5

when i found out so many people on here had never seen it

Andrew Hammond4

RIP to a hood classics legend

Emmy3

Nights like this, I wish rain drops would fall.

avirgosvirgo.bsky.social

@avirgosvirgo.bsky.social

RIP…… as a child I thought The Five Heartbeats was a biopic.👀😢😂

1644d ago

Forgotten TV

@forgotten.tv

𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗘𝗟 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 (𝟭𝟵𝟱𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)🕊️ Michael Wright has died at 70. To many fans, he’ll forever be Elias Taylor of 𝙑—the street criminal who found purpose in the Resistance. A tremendous talent across 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 and 𝙊𝙯. RIP Elias. The Resistance will never forget you. ✌️

1444d ago

BlackskyNews 🗞️

@blackskynews.blacksky.app

Actor Michael Wright, Eddie King, Jr. in The Five Heartbeats died, his wife Susan announced. Actor David Allen Walker wrote on FB “REST IN PEACE MICHAEL WRIGHT AKA EDDIE KANE. #FIVEHEARTBEATS. You were one of the Greats!.” | Shuvrajit Das Biswas www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/u... #BlackskyNews

1045d ago

Dee Still the tea cake lady

@mzdeedei.bsky.social

Had to run it because it’s only right. RIP Michael Wright.

1245d ago

Daryll B

@daryllbenjamin.bsky.social

All the love to my favorite TV revolutionary, Without Michael Wright? We don't get John Boyega's performance in Attack The Block! RIP to a LEGEND! Condolences to his Family, Friends & Fans!🙏

1845d ago

The TV Cave

@thetvcave.bsky.social

Michael Wright, forever unforgettable as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats, has died at 70. His performances touched generations, and his work will continue to live on. Rest peacefully. 🕊️ #MichaelWright #TheFiveHeartbeats #RIP

645d ago

Crescresyall

@crescresyall.bsky.social

Eddie KANG!!! Very sad to learn of the death of veteran actor Michael Wright at the relatively early age of 70. May all of his loved ones be comforted by the fact that his sterling, fervent work will live forever. #BlackSkyOver50 #FilmSky #RIP