Hollywood Colleagues Rally Behind Family of Former Talk Show Producer Matthew Wright Following Sudden Passing
Former television producer Matthew Wright passed away suddenly in Los Angeles on October 30. Public records on an online memorial fundraiser show financial backing from prominent entertainment figures, including Ellen DeGeneres and Allison Holker Boss, as his family navigates unexpected funeral and memorial expenses.
Entertainment industry colleagues and friends are stepping forward to provide financial relief to the family of Matthew Wright, a former executive producer on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," following his sudden passing at the age of 52.
According to details published on a verified GoFundMe campaign and reported by TMZ, Wright died unexpectedly on Friday, October 30, while working remotely in Los Angeles. His family characterized his sudden passing as an "unfathomable tragedy" while attempting to manage the logistical and financial hurdles of arranging memorial services on both coasts.
The campaign's public donor registry indicates an outpouring of financial support from prominent names across the daytime television landscape. Former host Ellen DeGeneres contributed $5,000 to the effort, according to the campaign roster. Allison Holker Boss, the widow of late dancer and DJ Stephen "tWitch" Boss, who was a longtime staple on the daytime broadcast, is listed as contributing $500.
Other industry executives have also contributed to the fund. Longtime executive producer Andy Lassner is listed as donating $1,000, matching a contribution from "Dancing with the Stars" executive producer Conrad Green, according to public donation records reported by TMZ.
The fundraiser noted that Wright and his husband, Justin, had both endured job layoffs earlier this summer. The sudden loss created immediate financial strain, with the family seeking assistance to transport Wright's body home to New York, manage funeral arrangements, and organize an additional memorial service in Los Angeles.
Following the news, DeGeneres took to social media to share an emotional video tribute, describing Wright as a funny, smart, and deeply kind colleague who earned widespread affection across the production set. In her tribute, DeGeneres revealed that she and Wright had been actively developing plans to collaborate on an upcoming project prior to his death.
Lassner also posted a tribute remembering his former colleague, sharing that Wright had visited the production set of "The Jennifer Hudson Show" just hours before he passed away.
According to the fundraiser's organizers, any proceeds that remain after covering funeral and transportation expenses are designated to be placed into a trust established for Wright's niece, Sami. Kulture Newz has not independently confirmed additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding his passing.