Matthew Wright, the former executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died unexpectedly at the age of 52.
Wright died in Los Angeles on October 30 in what his family described as an “unfathomable tragedy,” according to a GoFundMe campaign. Ellen DeGeneres, 68, became emotional in a video tribute shared Monday as she remembered her longtime colleague.
“His husband, father, sister and niece are in New York, desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye,” the fundraiser states. “We’re asking all of Matt’s friends, whom he loved so fully, to support the family during this difficult time.”
The appeal adds that both Matt and his husband, Justin, lost their jobs during the summer, leaving the family struggling to manage the unexpected expenses involved in bringing Wright home, arranging his funeral and organizing a memorial.
In her tearful tribute, DeGeneres recalled Wright as a deeply funny and generous person who could always make her laugh and regularly surprised her with thoughtful gestures.
She also described him as intelligent, kind and an essential member of the show’s team, saying that everyone who knew him loved him.
Matthew Wright, the former executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died suddenly at 52.
Wright died in Los Angeles on October 30 in what his family called an “unfathomable tragedy,” according to a GoFundMe campaign. DeGeneres, 68, fought back tears while honoring her former colleague in a video posted Monday.
Wright, who spent 16 years working on the show, is pictured at center with his family and husband, Justin.
With tears in her eyes, DeGeneres said Wright’s death was especially painful because they had been preparing to begin a new project together.
She said he would be profoundly missed and would always remain the person who helped hold the entire Ellen family together.
DeGeneres called Wright “a good guy” and remembered his close friendship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who died by suicide in 2022. She poignantly imagined the two friends reunited, dancing and laughing together.
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Wright was part of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years. After the program concluded in 2022 following controversy surrounding allegations of a toxic workplace, he reflected on how difficult it was to summarize such a major chapter of his life.
He wrote that the show had brought him lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences and the opportunity to meet many of his heroes. He also said he had fallen in love during his time there.
Wright expressed lasting gratitude to the show for taking a chance on him and changing the course of his life, adding that he was proud of its remarkable 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 remembered Wright’s close bond with tWitch, saying she imagined the late friends together again, dancing and laughing. They are pictured together on the show.
Wright is pictured with Jennifer Aniston during an appearance on the hit talk show.
Lassner wrote on Instagram that these photographs were taken Thursday as the show recorded its Halloween episode, when Wright stopped by for a visit.
“Just a few hours later, he was gone,” Lassner continued. “We are all in shock.”
‘We are all in shock. He was a brilliant producer and an even better human being.
‘The way he looked after his mom, flying back and forth from Los Angeles to New York practically every weekend before she died, showed what an incredible son he was.
‘My heart breaks for his husband, Justin, his family, and all of us who loved him. I was so lucky to work beside Matt for so many years and to call him my friend. We should have had so much more time with him.’