Black Lightning & V Actor Michael Wright, Dead At 70

Michael Wright, star of Black Lightning, Sugar Hill, V, and more, has passed away at the age of 70. The news of Wright’s death was shared by his family in a statement to TMZ, stating that Wright’s cause of death was a combination of heart failure and complications caused by a rare disease called Marchiafava-Bignami. Our thoughts are with Wright’s family and friends at this terribly difficult time.

Wright’s first breakout performance was in 1979’s The Wanderers, and after several TV movies that included We’re Fighting Back, Dream House, and Benny’s Place, he would deliver another memorable role as Elias Taylor in the TV miniseries V. Wright would then reprise that role in 1984’s V: The Final Battle and 1984’s V series, though V wasn’t the only big time franchise Wright would make an impact in.

Michael Wright Played a Key Role In DC’s Black Lightning

After V, Wright delivered another amazing performance as Raynathan Skuggs in Sugar Hill, which debuted in 1994. He would then appear in a number of popular shows like New York Undercover, Nash Bridges, and Oz, where he played Omar White. One of his most recent roles though was in the Arrowverse, where he played the powerful resurectionist known as Lazarus Prime.

Wright’s Lazarus Prime had the ability to bring people back from the dead, which is what initially brought him into contact with Lady Eve. That’s also what led to his bad blood with Tobias Whale, as it was Tobias who would kill Lady Eve. After Lazarus-Prime brought back Lala, a path for payback would present itself once more.

While Lazarus Prime only popped up in two episodes, his story had a big impact, and the character would also inform parts of Lala’s journey as well.

Wright also appeared in films like Point Blank, Money Talks, The Interpreter, Dope King, 2 Aces and a Dirty Heart, Good Brutha Bad Brutha, The Gift, and Beto! The Bad Boy of Thompson Street. On the TV side, Wright would appear in shows like Stitch, Rel, and Transitions.

Wright is survived by his wife, Susan Wright, and his children. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

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