Remembering Michael Wright: Eddie King Jr. of The Five Heartbeats Dies at 70

Michael Wright, the actor best known as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats and for a turn in HBO’s Oz, died at 70 in Los Angeles from apparent heart failure with complications related to the rare Marchiafava-Bignami disease. His wife Susan Wright confirmed the death; he is survived by his wife, children and a grandchild. Wright’s career spanned The Wanderers, V (and its sequels), The Principal, Sugarhill, Lionheart and many other roles, earning tributes from colleagues including Robert Townsend. The family asked for privacy as they grieve.