Veteran actor Michael Wright, beloved and best known for his role as Eddie King Jr. in the 1991 cult classic musical drama The Five Heartbeats, has died. He was 70.

The actor’s wife Susan Wright shared the sad news on Instagram, saying “It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright,” Susan wrote. “Michael was a husband, a father (Manon Wright, Byron Barr, Brittney Briggs, Brianna Barr, Sir Barr), a grandfather (Yoko), loved one, a friend and an extraordinary artist whose work touched generations.”

“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 continued. “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.”

Wright’s final role was in 2025’s Dope King, according to IMDb.

The Sugar Hill star’s family told TMZ he died from complications with heart failure and Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease.

“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,” Susan Wright said.