Ellen DeGeneres was saddened by the death of Matthew Wright, an executive producer who had worked on her talk show for 16 seasons. After his passing, public anger arose when fans discovered a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $50,000 for his funeral costs. Many questioned why DeGeneres did not offer financial help, especially after she shared an emotional tribute to Wright.
DeGeneres announced Wright’s death in an Instagram video, describing him as “a good guy” and highlighting his importance to the team behind The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She reflected on their relationship, mentioning how he often surprised her and made her laugh. DeGeneres also described Wright as “smart” and “kind,” noting that he was loved by many. She expressed her shock at his loss and mentioned they had plans to work on another project together.
The GoFundMe page does not specify a cause of death, but it states that Wright passed away while working remotely in Los Angeles, calling the event an “unfathomable tragedy.” The fundraiser aims to help Wright’s husband with costs related to bringing his body home, arranging a funeral, and hosting a memorial service. It noted that these expenses are difficult for him to manage after losing his job over the summer.
Many believed that DeGeneres should have covered the costs directly, given her long-standing association with Wright. The GoFundMe page mentioned that the funeral would take place in New York, where Wright’s family lives, while the memorial service would occur in Los Angeles for industry friends and colleagues. Any extra funds raised beyond the $50,000 goal would go towards creating a trust for Wright’s niece.
As of this writing, the fundraiser has collected $74,140, with DeGeneres contributing $5,000. However, some social media users felt that this amount was inadequate. Comments on social media expressed disappointment in her contribution and questioned why she did not pay the full amount herself.
Wright had been with The Ellen DeGeneres Show since 2006 until it ended in 2022 amid allegations involving workplace issues. He shared in a 2022 Instagram post how the show changed his life, stating he made many friends and had remarkable experiences.
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Source: Bored Panda, by Lei RV