Matthew Wright, Longtime Producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dies at 52

The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Matthew Wright, the longtime executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who has died at the age of 52 following what his family described as an “unfathomable tragedy.”

According to a fundraising campaign established by his family, Wright died on October 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles. His husband, Justin, and the rest of his family are based in New York and are facing unexpected expenses associated with bringing his remains home, arranging a funeral and organizing a memorial service.

The family launched a GoFundMe campaign with a fundraising target of $50,000 to help cover these costs and provide Wright with a proper farewell. In their message, relatives also revealed that both Wright and his husband had been laid off during the summer, making the sudden financial burden particularly difficult.

Remembering Wright, his family highlighted his generosity, sense of humor and ability to make people around him feel appreciated. They encouraged friends and colleagues who had shared memorable moments with him to support the family during this difficult period.

Ellen DeGeneres Remembers Her Longtime Colleague

Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres also paid an emotional tribute to Wright in a social media video shared on Monday, expressing her shock and sadness over his death.

Describing him as an exceptional person, DeGeneres recalled how he constantly made her laugh and surprised her with creative ideas and unexpected gestures. She praised his intelligence, kindness and humor, emphasizing how deeply he was appreciated by everyone involved in the program.

Wright spent 16 years working on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, remaining part of its production team until the program concluded in 2022. He also appeared on camera in several comedy sketches and segments, becoming a familiar face to viewers.

His long association with the show made him an important part of its identity, while the tributes from his former colleagues and family reflect the personal impact he had beyond his professional contributions.

As friends and loved ones remember Wright, his family's fundraising campaign aims to help them navigate the immediate arrangements and honor his memory.