Ellen DeGeneres shares tearful video after ‘shocking’ loss of executive producer Matthew Wright

Former talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres has paid an emotional tribute to one of her closest colleagues following his tragic death.

DeGeneres shared a heartfelt tribute to Instagram following the death of Matthew Wright, who served as executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for many years.

According to a GoFundMe page set up by Wright’s family, he died aged 52.

“In an unfathomable tragedy, Matt Wright passed away October 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles,” the page states.

In the video, DeGeneres struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on their years working together and the impact he had on her life.

“He was an amazing guy. He was funny. God, he made me laugh,” she said.

“He would surprise me with things that he did all the time. He was smart. He was kind. He was a part of our show ... I mean, everyone loved him. Everyone loved him. I loved him.

“And it’s just shocking. It’s shocking.”

Wright’s death comes four years after The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022.

The talk show’s final years were overshadowed by allegations of a toxic workplace culture, which prompted an internal investigation. DeGeneres subsequently stepped back from the public spotlight.

The comedian revealed she and Wright had been planning to work together on another project before his untimely death.

“He is and always will be the glue to our entire family at the Ellen Show,” she said.

“To Justin, his husband, and to his family, I’m so sorry because we lost a good guy. He was a good guy.”

DeGeneres also reflected on another beloved member of the show’s team, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who died in 2022 at the age of 40.

Boss, an American dancer and choreographer, was the show’s longtime DJ.

Recalling the strong bond between Boss and Wright, DeGeneres said: “He and tWitch were so close, so now he and tWitch are together dancing and laughing.”

What happened to The Ellen DeGeneres Show?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted in 2003 and was a ratings success for much of its run, winning more than 60 Emmy awards.

In July 2020, reports exposed claims of a toxic work environment on set, including allegations of racism, fear, intimidation and sexual harassment by top producers.

Warner Bros. launched an internal investigation that resulted in the firing of three executive producers.

DeGeneres, who built her brand on the motto “Be kind”, issued an on-air apology in September 2020, though it drew mixed reactions and criticism.

Following the backlash, the show lost over a million viewers and suffered a sharp drop in ad revenue.

While DeGeneres maintained she decided to end the show because it was no longer a creative challenge, and that the plan was originally to stop after season 16, she later admitted the scandal and public fallout had a devastating impact on her.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in May 2022 after 19 years on air.