Monday, August 24, 2026

A02135 - Michael Wright, African American Actor Best Known as Eddie Kane in "The Five Heartbeats"

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Michael Wright
BornApril 30, 1956
New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 19, 2026 (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1978–2026
Children5

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 Received notice this evening of the passing of Michael Wright (see below).  He was not a big star, but he performed in one of my favorite movies of all time The Five Heartbeats, and he was featured in two of my favorite musical numbers from the film. The first is the defining song from the movie, "A Heart is a House for Love"



and the second is the redeeming song from the movie, "I Feel Like Going On" 


There was something about this movie that brought me great joy in 1991 and still brings me joy today.  And while, Michael Wright did not actually sing the songs, his performance was one that I will remember for all time.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Class of 1975
August 22, 2026 


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Michael Wright (April 30, 1956 – August 21, 2026) was an American actor best known for his roles in the films The Five Heartbeats (1991),[1] Streamers (1983) for which he won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, and Sugar Hill (1994), and for his television roles Elias Taylor in V: The Series (1984–1985),[2] Omar White in Oz (2001–2003), and Lazarus Prime in Black Lightning (2019).

Early life
 
Wright was born and raised in New York City and was a graduate of the New Lincoln School[3].

Career
 
By 1978 he had entered the professional stage.[3]

Wright's work in television included the 1983 NBC science fiction miniseries V, the 1984 sequel V The Final Battle, and V: The Series as Elias Taylor. He appeared in the 1987 episode "Duty and Honor" of Miami Vice as "The Savage", and on the 1997 HBO series Oz as Omar White from 2001 to 2003. Wright also appeared on New York Undercover, and as Lazarus Prime on Black Lightning.

Wright's film roles include the 1987 drama The Principal, with Jim Belushi, and the 1994 film Sugar Hill with Wesley Snipes. He played Clinton, the leader of The Del Bombers gang in the 1979 film The Wanderers. He also appeared in the 2005 thriller The Interpreter.

Death
 
Wright died on August 21, 2026, at age 70.[4]

Filmography
 

References
 
  1.  "All the Wright Moves". New York. New York Media, LLC. April 1, 1991. p. 24. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  3.  ""Five Heartbeats" Actor Michael Wright Passes Away at 70". sb-american.com. August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  4.  Biswas, Shuvrajit Das (August 22, 2026). "Michael Wright cause of death update: What happened to The Five Heartbeats actor? Co-star Leon Robinson pays tribute". Hindustan Times. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
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A02134 - Major Jewel McDonald, African American Supercentenarian Who Was the Oldest Living Man in the United States in 2026

 Yesterday was the 117th birthday for Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest verified living person (see below).  Hearing this news caused me to take a look at the list of Supercentenarians -- those living beyond 110 years.  To my surprise, probably for the first time in history, the oldest woman and man in the United States happen to be African Americans.  Naomi Whitehead (see below) will turn 116 next month and Major McDonald (see below) is 110.  Given the nature of being a supercentenarian, this coupling of African Americans at the top of the American list may not last long and may not happen again any time soon.  However, given my recent focus on the relatively short lives lived by some Amherst College African Americans, I found it refreshing to read about the supercentenarians and pondering the secrets of their longevity.


Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Class of 1975
August 22, 2026

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Ethel May Caterham (née Collins; born 21 August 1909) is an English supercentenarian who, at the age of 117 years, 1 day, has been the world's oldest verified living person since the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas on 30 April 2025. She is also the oldest British person in recorded history, the last surviving validated person born in the 1900s decade, and the last surviving subject of King Edward VII.[1]

She is currently the only known British person to reach the ages of 116 and 117.[2]

Biography


Early life and family

Ethel May Collins was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, as the second youngest of eight siblings. She spent her early years in the nearby town of Tidworth.[3][4] Her sister, Gladys Babilas, reached the age of 104.[1] In 1927, at 18 years old, Caterham travelled to British India, where she worked as an au pair for a military household until the age of 21.[3][5]

In 1931, following her return to England, she met Norman Caterham at a dinner party.[1] The couple were married at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933, where Norman had previously sung as a choirboy.[3][1][6] He went on to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps.[5] They lived in Harnham, Salisbury before postings in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. During their time in Hong Kong, she established a nursery school focused on English language, crafts and recreational activities. While stationed in Gibraltar, the couple had two daughters, Gem and Anne, whom they later raised in England.[3][7] Norman died in 1976,[8] and Gem died in the early 2000s.[7]


Later years

Caterham drove until she was 97 and enjoyed playing contract bridge in her centenarian years.[9][1] Both of her daughters have predeceased her, but she has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.[9][10] She had lived in an annex within the home of her younger daughter, Anne, until Anne's death in February 2020 at the age of 82.[9][7] Following this, Caterham relocated to a care facility in Ash Vale, Surrey, and later moved to another home in Lightwater.[11][12]

In 2020, at the age of 110, Caterham contracted and recovered from COVID-19.[13] Shortly before her 111th birthday, she was interviewed by BBC Radio Surrey, where she attributed her longevity to "taking everything in my stride, the highs and the lows."[12] On her 111th birthday in August 2020, she was visited by the mayor of Surrey Heath, having been the oldest living resident of Surrey since January 2019.[12][14]

On 18 September 2025, aged 116, Caterham met King Charles III, with whom she exchanged pleasantries and recalled his investiture in 1969.[15]

Longevity

On 22 January 2022, following the death of Mary "Mollie" Walker,[16] Caterham became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom.[13][1] On 7 October 2022, after the death of Rose Eaton, she became the last known surviving subject of Edward VII.[13][1] She became Europe's oldest living person on 19 August 2024, upon the death of Maria Branyas of Spain.[17] Two days later, she became the third British person verified to turn 115,[18] the first to do so since Annie Jennings in 1999.[17]

On 7 April 2025, Caterham surpassed the age of Charlotte Hughes to become the oldest person ever from the United Kingdom.[19] 23 days later on 30 April, following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas of Brazil, she became both the world's oldest living person and the last known person born in the 1900s decade.[20]

On 21 August 2025, Caterham marked her 116th birthday, becoming the first person in British history to reach this age.[21][22] She received a congratulatory message from João Marinho Neto of Brazil (born 5 October 1912), the world's oldest living man – reportedly the first documented exchange between the world's oldest verified woman and oldest verified man.[23]

Upon her 117th birthday on 21 August 2026,[24][25] she once again received a congratulatory message from Marinho Neto, as well as fellow English supercentenarian Hilda Luck, and Welshman Owen Filer, who is recognised as the current oldest known living man in Wales.[26] Looking back over the recent past, she observed that "even at 117, I have had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the king." She went on to say that her secret to long life is "never arguing with anyone; I listen, and I do what I want”.[27]

See also



References

  1.  "Ethel Caterham – Gerontology Research Group". Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2.  "Oldest People in Britain". oldestinbritain.org. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  3.  "'Say yes to every opportunity' - 110-year-old reveals secrets to long life". Salisbury Journal. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  4.  Maisner, Stuart; Gregory, Julia (23 August 2024). "Ethel, 115, receives congratulations from King". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  5.  McEwan, Fergus (3 September 2015). "Ethel's 106th birthday bash sees mayor of Surrey Heath pay visit". Surrey Live. Archived from the original on 17 June 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  6.  Maisner, Stuart (1 May 2025). "Surrey woman, 115, becomes world's oldest person". BBC. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  7.  Yu, Yi-Jin (22 August 2025). "World's oldest living person celebrates 116th birthday". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  8.  "English great-grandma becomes world's oldest person at 115". DT News. 2 May 2025. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  9.  Shute, Joe (15 January 2022). "The secret to living past 110, according to Britain's supercentenarians". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  11.  Williamson, Lucy (22 August 2024). "UK's oldest woman celebrates 115th at Surrey home". Surrey Live. Archived from the original on 29 May 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  12.  SCC (24 August 2020). "Surrey's oldest resident Ethel, celebrates 111th birthday". Surrey News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  13.  "Ethel Caterham". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  14.  Albano, Rollan (22 August 2023). "Ethel Caterham, United Kingdom's Oldest Living Person, turned 114". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  15.  Murphy, Cash (21 September 2025). "King Charles meets world's oldest person Ethel Caterham". BBC News. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  16.  "The Amazingly Long Life of a Remarkable Lady". Peppard News. 16 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17.  Maglov, Stefan (21 August 2024). "Europe's Oldest Person, UK's Ethel Caterham, turns 115". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  18.  Maisner, Stuart (22 August 2024). "Lightwater: Woman celebrates 115th birthday in Surrey care home". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  19.  Hinchliffe, Ben (3 May 2025). "Ethel Caterham, 115, Honoured as UK's Oldest Person Ever". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  20.  Robledo, Anthony; Martin, Saleen (2 May 2025). "Ethel Caterham is officially the oldest person alive. What's her secret to longevity?". USA Today. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025. She is also the last surviving person born in the 1900s.
  21.  Weaver, Matthew (21 August 2025). "Ethel Caterham, world's oldest person, celebrates 116th birthday". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  22.  Hinchliffe, Ben (21 August 2025). "World's Oldest Person Ethel Caterham Celebrates 116th Birthday". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  23.  Meyers, Ben (21 August 2025). "World's Oldest Man Sends 116th Birthday Greetings to World's Oldest Woman". LongeviQuest. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  24.  Woolley, Summer (20 August 2026). "World's oldest person on her secret to a long life as she turns 117". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  25.  "World's oldest person celebrates turning 117 in Lightwater". BBC News. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  26.  Hinchliffe, Ben (21 August 2026). "World's Oldest Person, Ethel Caterham, Celebrates 117th Birthday". LongeviQuest. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  27.  "Evening Review - Pivot from Asia?". The Week. Retrieved 22 August 2026.

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Naomi Washington Whitehead[1] (née Washington; born September 26, 1910) is an American supercentenarian who has been the oldest living person in the United States, currently at the age of 115 years, 330 days, since the death of Elizabeth Francis on October 22, 2024, and the world's second oldest living person since the death of Marie-Rose Tessier on February 10, 2026.[2]

Biography
 
Naomi Washington was born on September 26, 1910 of African American descent in rural Georgia to Douglas and Pauline (née Young) Washington, where she grew up on a farm picking cotton and tobacco.[3] She lived in Patterson, Georgia, in her youth with her older siblings Douglas Jr., Clarence, Ellen, and Viola.[4]

Whitehead, in her adult years, moved to West Salem in Mercer County, part of Greater Pittsburgh. She didn't move into assisted living until 2011, when she was 100 years old.[5] She has stated that she never smoked or drank alcohol. She told reporters, "I'll live as long as the Lord lets me."[6] Several of her grandchildren acredit her long life to her belief in God.[5] Whitehead lives at St. Paul's Senior Living Community in Greenville, Pennsylvania.[1][7]

Personal life
 
In 1930, Washington married Sylvester Whitehead (1908–1979).[8][9] They had three sons:[8] Sylvester Jr. (1931–2004),[10] Parrish L. (1933–2011),[11] and Elbert T. (1935–2006).[12]

References
 
  2.  "World Supercentenarian Rankings List". Gerontology Research Group. March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  3.  McMunn, Andrew (October 24, 2024). "Naomi Whitehead becomes oldest living person in US after previous record-holder dies at 115". WAGM-TV. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  4.  Year: 1920; Census Place: Patterson, Pierce, Georgia; Roll: T625_274; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 141
  5.  "Greenville woman marks 115 years with family and faith". WKBN.com. September 28, 2025. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  8.  Maglov, Stefan (September 26, 2025). "Naomi Whitehead, Oldest Living American, Turns 115". LongeviQuest.
  11.  Maglov, Stefan (October 23, 2024). "114-year-old Naomi Whitehead Becomes the Oldest Living American". LongeviQuest. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  12.  "Elbert T. Whitehead". The Herald. May 8, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2024.

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Major Jewel McDonald



 
Major Jewel McDonald
Major Jewel McDonald
Major Jewel McDonald on his 105th birthday in 2020
Birth:
1 November 1915
Winston County, Mississippi, USA
Age:
110 years, 294 days
Country:
Validated
Major Jewel McDonald (born 1 November 1915) is an American supercentenarian who is currently the oldest known living man in the United States since the death of Ed Martin on 24 July 2026. His age is validated by LongeviQuest (LQ) and the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Contents




















Biography

Major Jewel McDonald was born in Louisville, Winston County, Mississippi, USA, on 1 November 1915 to parents Henry and Georgia McDonald. He had 12 siblings and was raised by a single mother.

At the age of 25 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, spending many years there, before moving back to Louisville, Mississippi. Major was married several times and had several children, including a son born when he was 84 years old.

On 1 November 2025, he celebrated his 110th birthday with family and friends, becoming a supercentenarian.

On 24 July 2026, following the death of 111-year-old Ed Martin, he became the oldest known living man in the United States.

Major Jewel McDonald currently lives in Louisville, Mississippi, USA, at the age of 110 years, 294 days.


This article is a stub. You can help Gerontology Wiki by expanding it.
 
Validation
Organisation
Validation Status
Validation Date
Validator(s)
Notes
Validated
2 Nov 2025
–
Validated
10 Dec 2025
Eli Logan
Tamás Bényei
–
Gallery

Aged 102, in October 2018

Aged 102, in October 2018
Aged 108, in February 2024

Aged 108, in February 2024
On his 110th birthday in 2025

On his 110th birthday in 2025

References


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