Ellen DeGeneres Mourns Sudden Loss of Longtime Producer Matthew Wright

POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, USA — Ellen DeGeneres is grieving the unexpected passing of Matthew Wright, a key executive producer who served her daytime talk show for over fifteen years.

Wright, aged 52, passed away on October 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles. A GoFundMe page described the sudden loss as an “unfathomable tragedy” for the producer who remained with the program for sixteen years until its conclusion in 2022.

In an emotional Instagram video shared on Monday, DeGeneres expressed her shock, noting that Wright was a frequent and beloved presence on the show and deeply loved by the entire crew.

The comedian described Wright as a smart, kind, and hilarious individual who constantly surprised her with his wit and actions. She revealed that the two were actually preparing to embark on a new project together when his death occurred.

DeGeneres reflected on Wright’s close bond with the show’s late DJ, tWitch, who passed away in 2022, imagining the two friends reunited now.

To support the grieving family, DeGeneres made a $5,000 donation to the memorial fund. As of the latest reports, the campaign had raised over $42,000 toward a $50,000 goal.

The fundraiser noted that Wright’s husband Justin, along with his father, sister, and niece, are in New York seeking travel to say goodbye. The campaign also highlighted that both Matt and Justin had been laid off earlier this summer, making funeral and travel expenses financially devastating for the family.

Andy Lassner, another former colleague from the show, shared a tribute on social media featuring photos from a visit Wright made to the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show just hours before he died.

Lassner expressed his profound heartbreak, stating he felt lucky to work alongside Wright and wishing they had had more time with his friend.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)