Matthew Wright, 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' Producer, Dies at 52 Due to Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Matthew Wright, the executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, passed away on October 30, 2022, in Los Angeles, reportedly due to cardiopulmonary arrest, with hypertension noted as the underlying cause ¹². Wright, who was 52 years old at the time of his passing, had been a cornerstone of the show since 2006, earning the nickname 'the glue' from host Ellen DeGeneres for his indispensable role ¹².

Wright's contributions to the show extended beyond just production duties; he was known for his leadership and dedication, holding the position of executive producer throughout his tenure ¹. His impact on the show was significant, and DeGeneres expressed deep sorrow at his loss, highlighting Wright's irreplaceable presence ¹.

In addition to hypertension, Wright's death was influenced by other health conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and Class II obesity, which were listed as contributing factors ¹². These conditions likely played a part in the cardiopulmonary arrest that led to his demise.

The news of Wright's passing came shortly after a period of personal transition for him. He and his husband had been laid off in the summer preceding his death, adding a layer of complexity to the already challenging situation ². This timing also coincided with the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022, two years after the show faced a notable scandal involving a reported toxic work environment ².

To support Wright's family during this difficult time, they established a GoFundMe page aimed at covering expenses related to his return to New York, funeral, and memorial service ¹². The campaign garnered substantial attention, raising over $98,000 as of the article's publication date, with a generous donation of $5,000 from DeGeneres herself ².

What We Know

• Matthew Wright, executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, died on October 30, 2022, in Los Angeles ¹²
• The cause of Wright's death was cardiopulmonary arrest, with hypertension as the underlying cause ¹²
• Wright worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, from 2006 until the show ended in 2022 ¹²
• Wright was 52 years old at the time of his death ¹²
• Obstructive sleep apnea and Class II obesity were listed as contributing factors to Wright's death ¹²
• Ellen DeGeneres described Wright as 'the glue' to their show and expressed how much she and others will miss him ¹
• Wright held the position of executive producer during his time on the show ¹
• Wright and his husband were laid off in the summer prior to his death ²
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show faced a scandal in 2020 regarding a toxic work environment ²
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022, two years after the scandal ²
• Wright's family created a GoFundMe page to assist with expenses related to his return to New York, funeral, and memorial service ¹
• DeGeneres donated $5,000 to the GoFundMe campaign ²
• The GoFundMe campaign raised over $98,000 as of the article's publication date ²