Matthew Wright, Longtime Executive Producer of Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dies at 52
Family, colleagues, and host Ellen DeGeneres are mourning the sudden passing of the veteran television producer in Los Angeles.
Matthew Wright, a veteran executive producer who spent 16 years working on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," died suddenly on October 30 in Los Angeles at the age of 52. His family described his passing as an unfathomable tragedy, though no immediate cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
At the time of his death, Wright was working remotely in Los Angeles. Because both Wright and his husband had been laid off earlier in the summer, his family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover unexpected financial burdens, including funeral arrangements and the costs of transporting his remains back to New York to be reunited with his loved ones.
Host Ellen DeGeneres posted an emotional video on Instagram paying tribute to her late colleague, calling him the vital connection for the entire production team. "He was an amazing guy. He was funny. God, he made me laugh," DeGeneres said, describing him as smart, kind, and the "glue" to the entire show family.
Fellow longtime producer Andy Lassner also shared a heartfelt tribute online, revealing that he had seen Wright just hours before he passed away. Lassner praised his exceptional character, highlighting his dedication to his late mother and his deep loyalty to his friends and husband, Justin.
Wright spent nearly two decades contributing to daytime television. He joined "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2006 and remained with the program until it concluded its run in 2022. When the series wrapped, Wright reflected on his tenure in a social media post, expressing profound gratitude for the relationships, experiences, and opportunities he encountered during his 16 years on the production.
Beyond his lengthy run on the daytime talk show, Wright had reportedly been planning a new project alongside DeGeneres. Friends and colleagues continue to remember him not only as a brilliant television professional, but also as a remarkably warm human being who deeply impacted everyone in his personal and professional orbit.