Renowned producer Matthew Wright, recognized for his work on popular celebrity talk shows, has died at the age of 52. A well-respected figure, he collaborated with hosts Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Hudson, and Drew Barrymore.
The Dedication
The Drew Barrymore Show devoted its episode on Wednesday, November 4, to Matthew Wright. The show shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Today’s show is dedicated to the memory of our former colleague, Matt Wright, who passed away unexpectedly last week. We are grateful for the time we shared and the lasting impact he made on our team. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Matt will be deeply missed and always remembered.”
Career and Contributions
Wright’s career spanned various successful talk shows. In addition to The Drew Barrymore Show, he worked on The Jennifer Hudson Show and The View. Notably, he held a prominent role at The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, reaching the position of executive producer.
Industry Tributes
Jennifer Hudson expressed her condolences on Instagram. She mentioned her recent interaction with Wright, stating, “So saddened by the loss of Matt Wright, one of our former producers who helped launch @jenniferhudsonshow. He was just back to visit on Thursday for our Halloween show! He made such a huge impact on so many people in this industry and beyond! My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Matt.”
Ellen DeGeneres shared her memories in a video, overwhelmed with emotion. “He was an amazing guy,” she said. “He was funny. God, he made me laugh. He would surprise me with things that he did all the time. He was smart. He was kind. He was the part of our show that — everyone loved him. I loved him. And it’s just shocking.”
GoFundMe and Family
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Wright’s family. It describes him as dying “suddenly but peacefully in his sleep.” The tribute highlights his qualities, saying, “He will be remembered for being everything everyone loved — sweetly stubborn and stubbornly sweet, persistently curious and curiously persistent, profoundly loving and lovingly profound.”
Wright is survived by his husband Justin Fusella, father David Wright, sister Mandy Wright, and niece Samantha Wright.
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