Matthew Wright, a producer for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," died on October 30 at the age of 52. According to a death certificate obtained by People, Wright's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest. Hypertension was listed as an underlying cause, with obstructive sleep apnea and Class II obesity noted as contributing factors.
Wright worked on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" for 16 years, from 2006 until its conclusion in 2022. Prior to his death, he had been experiencing heart problems, according to an exclusive report by Page Six.
DeGeneres paid tribute to Wright on Instagram, calling him an "amazing guy" who made her laugh and was "smart" and "kind." She shared clips of his appearances on the show, including a recurring segment titled "Strong Opinions with Matt."
Wright's death occurred while he was working remotely in Los Angeles. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist his husband, Justin, and family with funeral expenses. The fundraiser noted that both Wright and his husband had been laid off earlier in the summer, making the unexpected costs difficult to bear. DeGeneres donated $5,000 to the fundraiser, a contribution that led to online debate regarding the amount. The GoFundMe has since surpassed its $50,000 goal, raising over $98,000.
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" faced public scrutiny in 2020 after former employees alleged a "toxic" work environment. DeGeneres addressed these claims on camera and apologized to those affected. The show concluded two years later, in 2022.