Ellen DeGeneres has paid tribute to Matthew Wright, a longtime producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, following his sudden death at age 52.
The former talk show host shared an emotional video on Instagram on November 2, recalling Wright, known as Matt, as a funny, intelligent and kind person who frequently made her laugh. She became tearful while speaking about their 16 years working together, from 2006 until the program ended in 2022.
Wright held several production roles on the show, including executive producer. DeGeneres said he helped keep the team together and revealed that they had been preparing to begin another project together.
“He was an amazing guy,” DeGeneres said, adding that she was “so sorry” for his husband, Justin, and the rest of his family. She also remembered Wright’s close friendship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the show’s former DJ and executive producer, who died in December 2022.
Wright died on October 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been publicly confirmed. A GoFundMe campaign described his death as a sudden and devastating loss and sought help with funeral and memorial expenses for his family.
Andy Lassner, another former executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, also shared a tribute. He said he had seen Wright only hours before his death, when Wright visited the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show during its Halloween episode. Lassner remembered him as a talented producer and a caring person, particularly in his devotion to his late mother.
Former The Real co-host Loni Love also expressed her condolences to Wright’s loved ones.
Sources: Just Jared.