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.
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. A cause of death was not announced.
“As many of you know, Matt & Justin were both laid off this summer," The GoFundMe stated. "And the unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear.”
“His husband, father, sister and niece are in New York, desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye. We’re asking for all of his friends, who Matt loved so fully, to help the family at this time,” it adds.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ran for 19 years and concluded in 2022 amidst an investigation by Warner Brothers into alleged toxic workplace culture. The company laid off Matt and Justin Wright during the general staff reduction at the studio in summer this year, nearly four years after the show ended.
What We Know About Matt Wright's Death
According to the description on the GoFundMe page, Matt Wright died "while working remotely from Los Angeles." The family described it as an "unfathomable tragedy" but provided no further details about the 52-year-old's cause of death.
{{/usCountry}}According to the description on the GoFundMe page, Matt Wright died "while working remotely from Los Angeles." The family described it as an "unfathomable tragedy" but provided no further details about the 52-year-old's cause of death.
{{/usCountry}}The GoFundMe has set a target of $50,000. Within hours of the launch, more than half of that had been raised.
"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.
Ellen DeGeneres Pays Tribute
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 an amazing guy,” Ellen DeGeneres said. “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.”
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