Matthew Wright, a former executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died suddenly at the age of 52.
Wright died in what his family described as an “unfathomable tragedy” in Los Angeles on October 30, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Ellen DeGeneres, 68, shared an emotional video tribute on Monday, breaking down as she remembered her former colleague.
“His husband, father, sister and niece are in New York, desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye. We’re asking for all of his friends, who Matt loved so fully, to help the family at this time,” the fundraiser says.
“As many of you know, Matt and Justin were both laid off this summer. The unexpected costs of bringing Matt home, arranging a funeral and holding a memorial are more than the family can bear.”
DeGeneres said Wright was “an amazing guy” who made her laugh and regularly surprised her with the things he did.
“He was smart, he was kind, he was part of our show. Everyone loved him,” she said.
Matthew Wright, a former executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died suddenly aged 52
Wright died in an “unfathomable tragedy” in Los Angeles on October 30, according to a GoFundMe campaign supporting his grieving family; DeGeneres shared an emotional video tribute on Monday
Wright, who spent 16 years with the show, is pictured at center with his family and husband Justin
As she fought back tears, DeGeneres continued: “I loved him, and it’s just shocking. We were working on a project together that we were supposed to start.
“We’re going to miss him. He is, and always will be, the glue that held our entire family at the Ellen show together.
“I’m so sorry because we lost a good guy.”
She added: “He and tWitch [the late Stephen Boss, who died by suicide in 2022] were so close. And now he and tWitch are together, dancing and laughing.”
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Wright worked on the daytime talk show for 16 years. After the program ended in 2022 amid controversy surrounding allegations of a toxic workplace, he reflected on his time there, writing: “How do I even begin to sum up 16 years of my life?
“I’ve made so many best friends, had incredible experiences, met many of my heroes and even fell in love thanks to this show.
“I will forever be grateful to @theellenshow for taking a chance on me and changing my life. Here’s to an amazing run!”
Andy Lassner, another executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, said he had seen Wright only “hours” before his death.
![DeGeneres said, 'And he and tWitch [the late Stephen Boss, who died by suicide in 2022] were so close. And now he and tWitch are together, dancing and laughing' - pictured together on the show](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/11/02/19/112253203-16259785-image-a-34_1793647115435.jpg)
DeGeneres recalled Wright’s close friendship with tWitch, saying they were now “together, dancing and laughing”; the pair are pictured on the show
Wright is pictured with Jennifer Aniston during an appearance on the hit show
Andy Lassner said he saw Wright just “hours” before his death; Lassner is pictured on Thursday
He wrote on Instagram: “These photos were taken Thursday while we were filming our Halloween show. Matt stopped by to visit.
“A few hours later, he was gone. We are all in shock.”
“He was a brilliant producer and an even better human being,” Lassner wrote.
“The way he cared for his mother, flying between Los Angeles and New York practically every weekend before she died, showed what an extraordinary son he was.”
“My heart breaks for his husband, Justin, his family and everyone who loved him. I was incredibly lucky to work alongside Matt for so many years and to call him my friend. We should have had so much more time with him.”
