Ellen DeGeneres has broken down in tears in a video tribute to her longtime producer Matthew Wright, who has died suddenly at the age of 52. The former talk show host shared a selfie video on Monday, November 2, captioned with a broken-heart emoji.
It included a montage of Wright's sketches from The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "Everyone loved him," she said, struggling for words.
"I don't know what I'm saying. I'm so sorry, 'cause we lost a good guy." DeGeneres also revealed that she and Wright had only just begun working on a new project together.
Wright died on Friday, October 30. His family described the loss as an "unfathomable tragedy" on a GoFundMe page, and the cause of death has not been released.
He worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, until it ended in 2022. At the time, he wrote: "How do I even begin to sum up 16 years of my life?" He also thanked the show for "taking a chance on me and changing my life!"
The fundraiser says Wright and his husband, Justin, were both laid off this summer, and the family cannot afford the costs of bringing him home, a funeral, and a memorial. The goal is $50,000, and about half had been raised by Monday.
Former colleague Andy Lassner also paid tribute on Instagram, stating he saw Wright only hours before his death on the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show. "We are all in shock," Lassner wrote, calling Wright "a brilliant producer and an even better human being."
The entertainment industry has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of such a dedicated professional. Colleagues remember him as a creative force who brought joy to millions through his work.
As the investigation into the circumstances of his passing continues, the focus remains on supporting his grieving family during this difficult time. Tributes continue to pour in from across Hollywood, highlighting the impact Wright had on those who worked alongside him throughout his long and successful career.