Ellen producer Matthew Wright’s sudden death: family shares new details about his final hours

The family of Matthew Wright, the longtime producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show who died at 52, has shared more about his final hours. A memorial fundraiser says Wright “died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep” on October 30 in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been disclosed. The news has prompted tributes from Ellen DeGeneres and former colleagues, who remembered Wright as a creative producer whose warmth left a lasting mark on the people around him.

What happened to Matthew Wright?

Matthew Wright was working remotely in Los Angeles when he died, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to support his family. The fundraiser initially described his death as an “unfathomable tragedy.” An updated obituary later said he had died peacefully in his sleep.

The campaign is helping cover the costs of bringing Wright home to New York, along with funeral and memorial expenses. It also noted that Wright and his husband, Justin Fusella, had both been laid off during the summer, adding to the financial strain following his sudden death. No official cause of death has been made public.

Ellen DeGeneres remembers her longtime colleague

Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to Wright in an emotional video shared on Instagram. She recalled his humour and kindness, saying, “He was an amazing guy. He was funny. God, he made me laugh. She also described him as “the glue to our entire family” at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. DeGeneres revealed that they had been planning to work together again on a project before his death.

Andy Lassner saw him hours before his death

Producer Andy Lassner said he had seen Wright just hours before he died. Wright had visited the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show during its Halloween taping. “These photos were taken Thursday, while we were taping our Halloween show,” Lassner wrote alongside pictures of the pair. “Matt came by to visit. A few hours later, he was gone. We are all in shock.” Lassner remembered Wright as “a brilliant producer and an even better human being.”

A career across daytime television

Wright worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, from 2006 until its 2022 finale, rising to executive producer. He also worked on The View, The Jennifer Hudson Show and The Drew Barrymore Show. His death has left colleagues mourning not only an experienced television producer, but also a friend remembered for bringing laughter and care into the workplace.