Ellen DeGeneres Producer Matthew Wright Dies at 52
The executive producer of the late talk show died in Los Angeles on October 30, just hours after visiting a colleague on the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Matthew Wright, a key figure in the production of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, has died at age 52. A fundraising page established to assist his family confirms he passed away on October 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles. The page describes his death as an unfathomable tragedy, though no cause of death has been released to the public.
Wright joined the production team in 2006 and remained through the show's final season in 2022. His career on the program defined his professional identity, a fact he acknowledged in a 2022 social media post marking the end of the series. In that message, he wrote that he was grateful the show took a chance on him and changed his life. He noted that the experience allowed him to make best friends and meet personal heroes.
The news of his death spread quickly among colleagues in the television industry. Andy Lassner, a fellow executive producer who has moved to The Jennifer Hudson Show, shared photos of Wright visiting his set on Thursday, October 29. Lassner wrote that Wright had stopped by during the taping of the Halloween episode. The caption for the post, published on Sunday, stated that Wright was gone a few hours after those photos were taken. Lassner called Wright a brilliant producer and a friend, noting that the team was in shock.
Ellen DeGeneres addressed the loss directly in a video posted to Instagram on Monday. She described Wright as the glue that held their entire family together during the show's run. DeGeneres recalled his humor and intelligence, stating that he always surprised her with his actions. She told followers that everyone loved him and that his passing is shocking. The emotional tribute underscores the deep personal connections formed over the 16-year production cycle.
Wright is survived by his husband, Justin. Lassner expressed his heartbreak for Justin and the wider family in his tribute. The production team is currently organizing support for Wright's loved ones through the fundraising initiative. As of Monday, ABC News had reached out to the organizer of the fundraiser for additional comment on the circumstances of his death.
The next scheduled step in the process involves the release of further details regarding the cause of death. Until that information is disclosed, the family has asked for privacy while they process the loss. The television community continues to share memories of Wright, emphasizing his kindness and professional impact on the industry.
