Former Ellen Producer Matt Wright Remembered by Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Hudson as GoFundMe Passes $75,000

Matt Wright, a former executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show who later helped launch The Jennifer Hudson Show, has died suddenly. His family announced the news through a GoFundMe campaign, describing his death on Oct. 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles as “an unfathomable tragedy.”

Wright’s husband, Justin, along with his father, sister Mandy and niece Sami, are in New York, the fundraising page explained. They are “desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye.” The family established the GoFundMe to help cover the sudden and unexpected costs of bringing Wright home, arranging a funeral in New York and holding a memorial in Los Angeles.

The appeal noted that Wright and Justin had both been laid off over the summer. “And the unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear,” the message read. The page, titled “Support the Wright Family / Justin During an Impossible Time,” was created to help ease that financial burden during an already devastating period.

At the time of this writing, the campaign had raised more than $75,000, far surpassing its initial $50,000 goal. Among the donors is DeGeneres, who contributed $5,000. The response from friends, former colleagues and even fans of the shows Wright worked on speaks to the deep connections he made throughout his career.

The GoFundMe page’s description also asked friends to “repay the favor” for every time Wright made them laugh, offered encouragement or ordered too many appetizers for the whole table. It read: “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. 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 blend of humor and warmth was clearly central to who Wright was. The playful tone of the fundraising appeal matched the way many of his colleagues remember him. He was not only a hardworking producer but also a person who brought people together, made them feel seen, and often took care of the table, the team, and the room around him.

The family also explained how the donated funds would be used. Mandy, Wright’s sister, will receive the donations and direct them toward “getting Matt to Justin & Matt’s family,” covering funeral costs in New York and memorial costs in Los Angeles. If any additional money remains, it will be “set up in a trust for Matt’s pride & joy — his niece Sami.” That detail highlights how much Wright’s family meant to him and how his loved ones are trying to honor his memory in the midst of immense grief.

Wright spent years as an executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the long-running daytime talk show that made DeGeneres one of the most recognizable figures in television. The show ended in 2022 after 19 seasons, but the relationships Wright built there clearly lasted.

DeGeneres, 68, paid tribute to Wright in an Instagram video posted Monday, Nov. 2. She called him an “amazing guy” who made her laugh and spoke about the deep sense of loss felt by those who worked closely with him. “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’s words captured the shock and sadness that many in the entertainment industry have expressed since Wright’s death. She did not simply describe him as a talented producer; she described him as someone who held the team together, who made the workplace feel like a family, and who left a lasting mark on everyone around him.

After his time on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wright helped launch The Jennifer Hudson Show in 2022. Hudson, the Emmy and Grammy winner who hosts the syndicated daytime program, said she was “so saddened” by the news of his death. In an Instagram post accompanied by photos of the two together, Hudson revealed that Wright had visited the show just days before his death. “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 revelation that Wright had been on set for a Halloween celebration just days before he died added another layer of shock for those who knew him. He appeared to be in good spirits, reconnecting with former colleagues and doing what he apparently did best: showing up, supporting others, and making people feel appreciated. Hudson’s message, like DeGeneres’s, highlighted Wright’s ability to connect with people quickly and authentically.

Wright’s death also served as a reminder of the often unstable realities behind the television industry. The GoFundMe page noted that Wright and his husband had both been laid off over the summer. Despite years of work on successful shows, the couple found themselves facing a sudden tragedy without the financial resources to handle the costs of transport, a funeral and a memorial. The fundraising campaign was set up to close that gap and allow Wright’s loved ones to grieve without the added burden of worrying about expenses.

The response was swift. Within a short time, the campaign had raised more than $75,000, well above its original goal. The fact that so many people were willing to donate speaks to the relationships Wright built throughout his life and career. The donations are coming not only from wealthy celebrities such as DeGeneres but also from friends and colleagues who wanted to help in whatever way they could.

The GoFundMe page also asked people to share the campaign with anyone who had been “in the orbit of Matt’s huge heart.” That phrase suggests a network of friends and acquaintances that extended far beyond the entertainment industry. Wright’s death has resonated not just because of his professional accomplishments but because of the personal kindness he showed to others. The many contributions and messages of support are proof of that.

For now, the family’s immediate need is to bring Wright home to New York. The phrase “getting Matt to Justin & Matt’s family” in the fundraising description underscores the urgency of the reunion. The family wants a proper goodbye, and the donations are helping to make that possible. The funds will also go toward memorial services on both coasts, reflecting a life that was split between the East Coast and the entertainment world of Los Angeles.

As the entertainment community continues to process the loss, the support for Wright’s family remains a priority. The GoFundMe campaign has not only raised money but has also created a space for people to share their condolences and memories. For Justin, Mandy, Sami and the rest of Wright’s family, that outpouring may offer some comfort during what the family themselves called an impossible time.

Wright’s sudden death is a profound loss for everyone who knew him. The tributes from DeGeneres and Hudson are just two examples of the respect and affection he earned over the course of his career. His work behind the scenes helped shape popular daytime television, but his personal warmth appears to have been his greatest legacy. He was remembered as someone who made people laugh, supported them when they needed it, and loved them fully.

In the days and weeks ahead, there will be funerals, memorials and, eventually, a trust set up for Sami, the niece who was her uncle’s pride and joy. But right now, the focus is on getting Matt Wright back to New York and giving his family the chance to say goodbye. The fundraiser has made that possible, and the love behind it has made clear how much he will be missed.

Wright may no longer be here, but the memories he created, the laughter he inspired, and the kindness he shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him. His family, his friends, and his former colleagues are now left to carry forward the legacy of a man whose huge heart touched so many people. The least the rest of the world can do is help them say goodbye.