Michael Wright, the actor celebrated for his roles in 'The Five Heartbeats' and 'Sugar Hill', has died in California.
He was 70.
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His family confirmed the news, saying Wright passed away Wednesday in Los Angeles. The cause was heart failure, compounded by complications from Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease.
Born in New York City in 1956, Wright devoted his life to acting. His breakthrough came with 'The Wanderers' in 1979 and Robert Altman's 'Streamers' in 1983.
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In 1987, he played Victor Duncan in the comedy 'The Principal' alongside Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr.
Wright's most memorable role was Eddie King Jr., the talented yet troubled lead singer in the 1991 drama 'The Five Heartbeats'.
In 1994, he starred as Raynathan Skuggs in 'Sugar Hill' opposite Wesley Snipes.
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His filmography also includes 'Money Talks' with Chris Tucker, 'Point Blank' with Mickey Rourke, and 'The Interpreter' with Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
Over his nearly five-decade career, Wright also appeared in TV series such as 'Oz' and 'V: The Series'.
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He is survived by his wife, Susan Wright, along with his daughter and stepchildren.
