The cause of death of Matthew Wright, the longtime producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has been revealed, with a death certificate showing he died of cardiopulmonary arrest. TMZ reported the findings, citing PEOPLE's review of the certificate.
It lists hypertension as the underlying cause, with obstructive sleep apnoea and Class II obesity named as contributing conditions. His family's GoFundMe page says he died on 30 October in Los Angeles, "suddenly but peacefully in his sleep." DeGeneres paid a tearful tribute earlier this week, in which she remembered him fondly.
She also donated $5,000 to the fundraiser. Andy Lassner, her longtime executive producer on the show, has also donated.
He said he visited the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show only hours before Wright died. The campaign was set up because Wright and his husband, Justin, were both laid off over the summer, and the family has struggled to meet the cost of bringing his body home to New York.
The money raised will also cover funeral expenses and a memorial in Los Angeles. Wright worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, until it ended in 2022.
His death came as a shock to colleagues and friends, and tributes have continued to flow from those who worked with him across the entertainment industry. Colleagues have highlighted his immense dedication to television production throughout his long career.
The industry has lost a brilliant professional who touched many lives during his lifetime. Friends and family members continue to share their heartfelt memories and condolences on various social media platforms.
The overwhelming support from the public reflects the profound impact he left behind. The final arrangements for his memorial service in Los Angeles are being managed by his close family and friends.