The star of an iconic ’80s NBC show has sadly passed away.
Videos by Suggest
Michael Wright, who appeared in the miniseries V and its follow-ups, died on Wednesday. His wife, Susan, broke the news via Instagram, and TMZ reported additional details.
The Fox Corp-owned outlet relayed that Wright, also known for The Five Heartbeats and HBO’s Oz, died of heart failure and Marchiafava-Bignami disease. Per Harvard University, MBD is a neurodegenerative condition that can lead to serious mental deteriotation and disorders.
“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 on Friday night. “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.
“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 played Elias Taylor, one of the human survivors in NBC’s 1983 sci-fi hit V, which is about an alien takeover of Earth. He reprised the role in V: The Final Battle and V: The Series. He played Omar White in the later seasons of Oz, appearing in 22 episodes. Wright also popped up on Miami Vice, Nash Bridges, Black Lightning, New York Undercover and Rel.
On the film side of the industry, he played Eddie in the classic music movie The Five Heartbeats and Carlyle in the Vietnam War drama Streamers.
You can read Susan’s full tribute to the actor on Instagram, which includes some sweet personal photos.