Overview
- Wright died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at UCI Medical Center with his wife and children at his side, his family confirmed to multiple outlets.
- The family told TMZ that the immediate cause was heart failure with complications of Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare degenerative brain disorder they say Wright was diagnosed with in 2015.
- His wife, Susan Wright, announced his death in an Instagram post on Aug. 21, described him as a husband, father and artist, and asked the public and media to respect the family's privacy.
- Wright’s acting career spanned nearly five decades and more than 50 credits, including his signature role as Eddie King Jr. in Robert Townsend’s The Five Heartbeats and a shared Volpi Cup for Best Actor for Streamers at Venice.
- Co-stars and public figures have posted tributes while the family has urged against speculation and said it will provide information on services and remembrances when ready.