Truett Lee Wright

Truett Lee Wright, 70, of Highland Park, California, took his final bow on July 14, 2026, at his parents’ home in Bakersfield, California, bringing an end to his courageous four-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.

Truett was born and raised in Delano, California, on March 5, 1956. He was the beloved middle son of E’von Wright and the late Jack Wright.

Growing up in Delano, Truett was active in 4-H, where he developed his lifelong love of horses, and in the high school Drama Club, where he discovered his passion for the stage. His first stage performance was in his high school production of Fiddler on the Roof. Although he loved performing, it wasn’t until he enrolled at Bakersfield College that he began his formal dance training.

After graduating from Delano High School in 1974, Truett studied dance at Bakersfield College and became involved with Bakersfield Community Theater and Starlight of Kern. It was there that he found his first dance family—an experience that would become a recurring theme throughout his life.

Immediately after graduating from Bakersfield College, Truett moved to Los Angeles with hopes of launching a career in show business. His days were filled with dance classes and auditions, but like many young artists, he also worked as a waiter just to put food on the table.

During his first three years in Hollywood, Truett could be seen singing and dancing on television specials featuring Dean Martin, Barry Manilow, John Denver, and the Muppets. His movie credits included Pennies from Heaven, starring Steve Martin, and Those Lips, Those Eyes, with Frank Langella.

One of the highlights of those early years was performing alongside Carol Channing in the national touring company of Sugar Babies. In 1981, Truett was selected to tour with Suzanne Somers as her lead dance partner in her popular musical revue and cabaret show. After completing that tour, he traveled to France, where he performed at the Palais des Sports in Paris with Sylvie Vartan, a French pop star whom Truett jokingly called “the Cher of France.”

In 1984, Truett dusted off his tap shoes and became a proud member of the Los Angeles production of the musical 42nd Street. The show opened in February of that year at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles and ran for 11 months before moving to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre. From there, the production hit the road, crisscrossing the United States before its final booking at the NHK Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.

Performing in 42nd Street was a dream come true for Truett. It was steady work, doing something he loved, surrounded by friends he would consider family for the rest of his life. But, he was now 32, and didn’t know how long his dancer’s body would hold up.

So Truett decided it was time for a career change—and back to school he went, along with another stint waiting tables. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, followed by a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University. After completing the required 3,000 post-degree clinical hours and passing the state licensing examinations, Truett became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

He went to work for Tarzana Treatment Centers during the day while building a successful private practice as a psychotherapist in the evenings. Truett devoted nearly 27 years to Tarzana, working his way up to Clinical Supervisor.

Once again, it was steady work, doing something he loved, surrounded by coworkers he considered family—and who adored him in return. Truett possessed the rare gift of making the people around him feel seen, valued, and deeply loved.

Alongside his love of performing and helping others, Truett maintained a lifelong love affair with horses. It didn’t matter whether he was grooming them, riding them, or shoveling their “stuff”—he simply wanted to be around them.

He loved sharing his passion for horses with others. Many friends and family members have recalled wonderful memories of Truett letting them ride his horses when they were children. As a teenager, he competed in Western riding competitions, and as an adult he competed in English hunter-jumper events.

After moving to Highland Park, one of Truett’s favorite Sunday morning traditions was having breakfast at Clockers Corner at Santa Anita Race Track and watching the horses and riders during their early-morning workouts. After breakfast, he would often ask whoever was with him if they wanted to take the track tour. He loved the atmosphere there and always wanted to share it with friends.

Truett often said that when he retired, he was going to get a job at Santa Anita driving one of the big tractors used to groom the track. Once again, it would have been steady work, doing something he enjoyed, surrounded by the horses he loved.

And then there was dancing. If you were lucky enough to be one of Truett’s dance partners—whether at a school dance, a wedding, a professional production, or even country-western dancing at Oil Can Harry’s—he made sure you were having at least as much fun as he was. That was Truett.

His infectious laughter, generous heart, and loving spirit brightened the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. He leaves behind countless memories, many stories, and an enormous hole in the hearts of those who loved him. He will TRULY be missed.

Truett is survived by his mother, E’von Wright; brothers Cris Wright (Terri) and Chuck Wright; longtime companion Norman Garbaccio; nephew Clayton Wright (Kim); niece Chelsi Prewett (Derek); three grandnephews; one grandniece; and many loving cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Wright—who is probably asking him right now, “What kind of oil do you put in your car?”

Please join Truett’s family and friends in celebrating his life on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Hodel’s, 5917 Knudsen Drive, Bakersfield, California 93308. The celebration will take place in Liberty Hall at 12:00 p.m., with lunch to follow.

Come ready to remember Truett the way he lived—with laughter, love, music, dancing, horses, and the people he cherished.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) are appreciated.

To RSVP for the memorial service please follow the link below

https://everloved.com/life-of/truett-wright/funeral/?flow=201