Ellen DeGeneres Mourns Former Producer Matthew Wright

Wright passed away while working remotely from Los Angeles. A fundraiser for his family explained that his spouse, dad, sister and niece live in New York, and donations would help cover the cost of bringing him home, a funeral and a memorial. Wright and his husband had both lost their jobs during the summer. The fundraiser had passed its $50,000 goal by Monday afternoon, with money also intended for a trust for Wright’s niece.

DeGeneres posted a video tribute on November 2, describing Wright as funny, kind and a source of laughter and surprises. She said the loss was shocking and that he would remain a central part of the show’s family. The pair had been preparing to work together on a project, she said.

Wright was part of the production team for The Ellen DeGeneres Show between 2006 and its 2022 conclusion, and appeared regularly on screen, including in a segment called “Strong Opinions With Matt.” DeGeneres also recalled his close friendship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the show’s former DJ, who died in 2022.

Andy Lassner, a fellow executive producer, said he had seen Wright hours before his death, when Wright visited him at the studio where The Jennifer Hudson Show is made. Lassner praised Wright’s work and recalled how he regularly traveled between Los Angeles and New York to care for his mother before she died. Loni Love, a former co-host of The Real, also shared condolences.