Ellen DeGeneres Show producer Matthew Wright dies at 52
The longtime executive producer died on October 30 in Los Angeles, with colleagues remembering his impact on the network's daytime programming.
By Lina Lewis ·
Matthew Wright, an executive producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, died on October 30 at the age of 52. A fundraising page established to support his family confirmed the date of death and noted that he was working remotely in Los Angeles at the time. No cause of death has been publicly released.
Ellen DeGeneres addressed the news on Instagram on Monday with a video tribute. She described Wright as an amazing guy who made her laugh and surprised her with his actions. DeGeneres called his departure shocking and identified him as the glue holding the show's team together.
Andy Lassner, another executive producer, shared photos of Wright in a Sunday Instagram post. Lassner noted that Wright visited him on the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday while the Halloween episode was being filmed. Lassner stated that Wright passed away a few hours after that visit, leaving the production staff in shock.
Lassner wrote that Wright was a brilliant producer and a better human being. He expressed heartbreak for Wright's husband, Justin, and their family. Lassner also reflected on the many years he worked beside Wright and called him a friend, saying they should have had more time together.
Wright worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2006 to 2022, according to his IMDb page. He spent 16 years on the production before the show ended its run in 2022.
In a 2022 Instagram post marking the end of the series, Wright reflected on his tenure. He wrote that the show allowed him to make best friends and meet heroes. He expressed gratitude to the program for changing his life and taking a chance on him.
ABC News has contacted the organizer of the fundraising page for comment. The page described Wright's death as an unfathomable tragedy.
