Ellen DeGeneres Mourns "The Glue" of Her Show: EP Matthew Wright Dead at 52

Ellen DeGeneres is mourning Matthew Wright, the longtime executive producer who kept The Ellen Show running behind the scenes for years. Wright died suddenly on Friday, October 30, at age 52 while working remotely in Los Angeles. In an emotional Instagram video Monday, DeGeneres called him funny, smart, and kind, and said he is“and always will be, the glue to our entire family at The Ellen Show.”

Wright and his husband Justin were both laid off this summer, and a family GoFundMe is now raising money to cover funeral and memorial costs, including bringing him home to New York. Funds beyond expenses will go toward a trust for his niece, Sami. Former Ellen Show colleague Andy Lassner also paid tribute, calling Wright“a brilliant producer and an even better human being,”and noting that Wright visited The Jennifer Hudson Show set just the Thursday before his death. DeGeneres added that Wright and the late Stephen“tWitch”Boss were close, and that they are now“together, dancing and laughing.”

Wright is survived by his husband Justin, his father, sister, and niece. Did The Ellen Show have a place in your after-school or workday routines? Drop your favorite memory in the comments.