Ellen DeGeneres is grieving the sudden loss of her longtime colleague and friend Matthew Wright, who died on October 30 at the age of 52.
The former talk show host shared an emotional video on Instagram on November 2, struggling to hold back tears as she paid tribute to Wright, who served as an executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years.
Describing him as an extraordinary person, DeGeneres, 68, remembered Wright for his humour, intelligence, kindness and ability to make those around him laugh.
"He was an amazing guy," she said, adding that he frequently surprised her with thoughtful gestures and funny moments. She also reflected on how deeply loved he was by everyone who worked on the show.
DeGeneres admitted that his passing was difficult to comprehend, describing the news as shocking and heartbreaking.
She also revealed that the two had been preparing to work together again on a new project before his unexpected death. According to the former television host, they had been discussing plans and were supposed to begin working on the project soon.
Calling Wright the glue that held their television family together, DeGeneres said his presence would always be remembered by those who knew him. She also extended her condolences to his husband and other family members, describing him as a genuinely good person.
During the tribute, DeGeneres reflected on Wright's close friendship with Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the former Ellen Show DJ and executive producer who died in December 2022 at the age of 40.
She recalled how close the two men had been and imagined them reunited, dancing and laughing together.
Wright's death was described as an "unfathomable tragedy" in a GoFundMe campaign established to support his family during the difficult period.
The fundraiser explained that his husband, father, sister and niece were in New York and hoping to reunite with him for a proper farewell. It also highlighted the unexpected financial burden facing the family as they made arrangements to bring Wright home and organise his funeral and memorial service.
According to the fundraising appeal, Wright and his husband, Justin, had both lost their jobs during the summer, leaving the family struggling to manage the additional expenses associated with his death.
DeGeneres' emotional tribute has offered a glimpse into the lasting impact Wright had on the people he worked with and the close relationships he built throughout his career.
