Matthew ‘Matt’ Wright, longtime producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show , passed away on October 30, his family announced in a GoFundMe launched on Monday. Wright, who has won multiple Emmy Awards as part of his 16-year stint on the show, was laid off this summer, the family said. He was 52.
A cause of death was not announced.
Matthew Wright’s family said in the GoFundMe that they are dealing with significant financial stress given that along with Matthew Wright, his husband Justin Wright was also laid off. “If Matt has ever made you laugh, said an encouraging word right when you needed it, or ordered one too many appetizers for the enjoyment of the whole table, now is the time to repay the favor,” the GoFundMe stated.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ran for 19 years and concluded in 2022 amidst an investigation by the Warner Brothers group into alleged toxic workplace culture at the show. Moments after the news of Matthew Wright’s death’s death broke, Ellen DeGeneres appeared on an Instagram video where paid tribute to Wright remembering their time on the show together. “He was funny. God, he made me laugh. He would surprise him with things that he did all the time. He was smart, kind. Everyone loved him. I loved him. It’s just shocking. The company laid off Matt and Justin Wright during the general staff reduction at the studio, nearly four years after the show ended.
“He was an amazing guy,” Ellen DeGeneres said.
