Ellen DeGeneres Pays Tribute to Producer Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright Death Brings Tributes From Ellen DeGeneres and Industry Colleagues

Matthew Wright, a longtime television executive producer who spent 16 years working on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, died on October 30, 2025, at the age of 52. rte.ie reported that Wright passed away following an unfathomable tragedy while working remotely in Los Angeles. No details regarding the cause of his death have been made public.

Following the news, Ellen DeGeneres shared a tearful video on Instagram paying tribute to her former producer. She called Wright the glue of the show’s entire family, noting his humor, kindness, and sharp wit. DeGeneres also mentioned that she and Wright had been actively collaborating on a new project that was scheduled to begin soon.

GoFundMe Campaign Launched for Family Funeral and Travel Expenses

A crowdfunding campaign was established to support Wright’s family, including his husband, Justin Fusella. According to details shared on the GoFundMe page, Wright and his husband were both laid off during the summer, leaving the family facing unexpected financial strain. The campaign aims to cover memorial costs in Los Angeles, funeral arrangements, and the expenses required to return Wright home to New York, where his relatives reside.

Decades of Television Production Work and on-Air Appearances

Wright built an extensive career in daytime television production, starting with the SoapNet series Soap Talk from 2002 to 2006. He joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2006, remaining with the program until its final season in 2022. Beyond behind-the-scenes production, Wright frequently appeared on camera in recurring comedic segments, such as “Strong Opinions with Matt.” He also contributed as a producer to Ellen’s Game of Games and the 2009 special Ellen’s Bigger, Longer & Uncut.

After DeGeneres’s talk show concluded, Wright transitioned to work on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Jennifer Hudson posted a tribute on social media, noting that Wright had visited the set just days prior on October 23 for their Halloween broadcast. Andy Lassner, a fellow executive producer from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, shared photographs of himself and Wright taken on the Hudson show set hours before the tragedy.

Connections to Past Losses and Industry Mourning

In her emotional address, DeGeneres linked Wright’s passing to the 2022 death of Stephen “Twitch” Boss, the show’s co-executive producer and resident DJ, who died by suicide at age 40. DeGeneres remarked that Wright and Boss shared a close bond during their time on the program.

Earlier coverage: Ellen DeGeneres Mourns 'Ellen Show' EP Matthew Wright After His Death at 52