Matt Wright Remembered as ‘Glue’ of The Ellen Show After Sudden Death
Matt Wright, the veteran television producer best known for his work as an executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and, more recently, for helping bring The Jennifer Hudson Show to audiences, died suddenly on Oct. 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles. The news was confirmed through a GoFundMe campaign organized to support his family, which described the loss as “an unfathomable tragedy.”
The campaign, titled “Support the Wright Family & Justin During an Impossible Time,” said that Wright’s husband, father, sister and niece are in New York and are “desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye.” It went on to ask friends to help at a moment of profound hardship.
“Matt Wright passed away Oct 30th while working remotely in Los Angeles,” the message read. “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.”
The message also noted that Wright and his husband, Justin, had both been laid off over the summer. That news added an extra layer of difficulty to the sudden loss, as the family was already dealing with the financial effects of unemployment. “As many of you know, Matt & Justin were both laid off this summer. And the unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear,” the campaign said.
At the time of publication, the GoFundMe had raised more than $75,000, surpassing its initial goal of $50,000. Among the donors was Ellen DeGeneres herself, who gave $5,000. The outpouring of support reflected the deep affection many in the entertainment industry felt for Wright, a behind-the-scenes figure who was widely regarded as kind, funny and deeply loyal to those around him.
The funds from the campaign will be handled by Wright’s sister, Mandy. According to the GoFundMe description, the money will be used for “getting Matt to Justin & Matt’s family,” as well as for funeral costs in New York and memorial costs in Los Angeles. If additional funds remain, they will be “set up in a trust for Matt’s pride & joy — his niece Sami.”
The description also painted a vivid portrait of Wright’s personality. “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,” it read. “Please donate what you can and share this with anyone who’s been in the orbit of Matt’s huge heart. And when you’re at dinner and see a sunset, know that Matt is looking down, loving you, but wildly disappointed in what you ordered.”
That mix of humor and affection was typical of the way Wright’s friends and colleagues remembered him in the wake of his death. He spent years working on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he became a fixture of the daytime television hit. DeGeneres, 68, paid tribute to Wright in an Instagram video posted Monday, Nov. 2.
“We’re going to miss him. He is, and always will be, the glue to our entire family at The Ellen Show,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m saying. Anyway, and to Justin, his husband, and to his family, I’m so sorry. Because we lost a good guy. He was a good guy.”
DeGeneres’ tribute was brief but emotional, and it spoke to the close relationships Wright had formed over years of working in television. She called him an “amazing guy” who made her laugh, and she offered her condolences directly to Justin and to Wright’s family. The video was one of the first public reactions to Wright’s death from a major figure in his life.
After The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022, Wright helped launch The Jennifer Hudson Show. He remained connected to that production as well, and Hudson was among the first to share her grief publicly. In a social media post alongside photos of the two of them, Hudson said she was “so saddened” by the news.
“He was just back to visit on Thursday for our Halloween show!” she wrote. “He made such a huge impact on so many people in this industry and beyond! My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Matt! 💜.”
The detail that Wright had visited The Jennifer Hudson Show shortly before his death made the news even more shocking for those who worked with him. He had been active, present and seemingly in good spirits, spending time with colleagues and taking part in the show’s Halloween celebration.
Wright’s sudden passing is a reminder of the bonds formed behind the scenes in television, where production teams often function like families. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wright was part of a close-knit group that helped make the show a cultural institution. His work as an executive producer placed him at the center of the program’s daily operations, and his colleagues frequently spoke of his generosity and his ability to lighten the mood.
The GoFundMe page made clear that Wright’s loved ones were struggling not only with grief but with the logistics of death. Because his family was in New York while he was in Los Angeles, they faced the added pain of distance at a time of shock, along with the challenge of arranging a funeral in one city and a memorial in another. The campaign was designed to lift some of that burden.
“Please donate what you can and share this with anyone who’s been in the orbit of Matt’s huge heart,” the page said. The response has been immediate and significant. The initial $50,000 goal was quickly surpassed, and donations have continued to climb. The fact that DeGeneres contributed $5,000 signaled how much Wright meant to her and to the show’s extended family.
Wright’s death also highlighted the precarious nature of life in the entertainment industry, where even successful careers can be interrupted and where sudden expenses can become overwhelming. The campaign’s reference to the summer layoffs underscored the financial strain behind the tragedy. Friends and colleagues were encouraged to share the fundraiser with anyone who had been touched by Wright’s warmth and humor.
For now, the family is focused on one thing: bringing Wright home and saying goodbye. The phrase “desperate to be reunited” in the GoFundMe message captures the rawness of the moment. They are asking for help, and the television community has responded.
As tributes continue to appear, Wright is being remembered not just for his professional accomplishments but for the way he treated people. He was someone who made others feel included, who remembered to encourage people at the right moment, and who, by all accounts, loved with his whole heart. The fundraising page describes him as a man whose “huge heart” touched everyone in his orbit.
Wright’s legacy will live on in the shows he helped create and in the people whose lives he touched. In the words of his friends, when you see a sunset, he may be looking down — still loving, still watching, and still making sure you order better next time.
