Ellen DeGeneres mourns producer Matt Wright: 'The glue of our family'
Synopsis
Ellen DeGeneres has broken her silence on the death of longtime Ellen Show executive producer Matt Wright, calling him 'the glue' of the show's family and revealing the two had been set to collaborate on a new project. The tribute also surfaced a renewed wave of grief over the loss of tWitch, whom Wright was reportedly very close to — making this the second major loss for the Ellen Show inner circle in recent years.
Key Takeaways
Ellen DeGeneres paid a video tribute to late executive producer Matt Wright , describing him as 'the glue to our entire family at the Ellen Show.' Wright was known for his on-screen presence and the popular Strong Opinions with Matt segment.
DeGeneres revealed she and Wright had been collaborating on a new project set to begin soon before his passing.
She recalled Wright's close friendship with the late Stephen 'tWitch' Boss , who died in December 2022 .
DeGeneres extended personal condolences to Wright's husband Justin and his family.
Television host Ellen DeGeneres has paid a heartfelt tribute to Matt Wright, the longtime executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who passed away recently. In an emotional video message, DeGeneres described Wright as the binding force behind the show's extended family, calling him 'the glue to our entire family at the Ellen Show.'
What Ellen Said
In the video, DeGeneres reflected on Wright's warmth and wit, remembering him as someone who constantly caught her off guard with his humour. 'He was funny. God, he made me laugh. He would surprise me with things that he did all the time. He was smart and he was kind,' she said.
She described the loss as deeply shocking, particularly as the two had reportedly been collaborating on a new project that was set to begin soon. 'We were working on a project to do together that we were supposed to start,' she added, her voice conveying visible grief.
A Bond With tWitch
DeGeneres also drew a poignant connection between Wright and the late Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, the beloved DJ and fellow executive producer who passed away in December 2022. She noted that the two shared an exceptionally close bond during their time on the show.
'Now he and tWitch are together dancing and laughing,' she said, finding some solace in the thought of the two reunited. The mention of Boss underscored the cumulative grief that the Ellen Show community has endured in recent years.
Wright's Legacy on the Show
Wright served as executive producer and was a recurring on-screen presence, known for a popular segment called Strong Opinions with Matt. His opinions — ranging from restaurant etiquette to pop culture — were a fan favourite. DeGeneres recalled his trademark passion: 'I never knew that someone could have such strong opinions about everything.'
Colleagues described him as someone whose personality permeated every corner of the production, blending professionalism with genuine warmth. His husband Justin and family received a direct message of condolence from DeGeneres in the tribute. 'To Justin, his husband, and to his family, I'm so sorry because we lost a good guy,' she said.
Outpouring of Grief
The tribute has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and former cast and crew members of the long-running talk show, which wrapped its final season in 2022 after 19 years on air. Wright had been with the production for a significant portion of that run, making his passing a deeply personal loss for the show's alumni.
With the deaths of both Wright and Boss, the Ellen Show family has now lost two of its most prominent behind-the-scenes figures in quick succession — a reminder of how tightly knit, and how fragile, long-running television families can be.
Point of View
In quick succession, raise a quiet but important question about the emotional toll of long-running TV families and the lack of support structures once the cameras stop rolling. Mainstream coverage is treating this as a celebrity tribute story; the more searching angle is what these losses reveal about life after an institution ends.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Matt Wright from The Ellen DeGeneres Show?
Matt Wright was a longtime executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and a recurring on-screen personality, best known for the fan-favourite segment 'Strong Opinions with Matt.' He was widely regarded as a central figure in the show's behind-the-scenes family.
What did Ellen DeGeneres say about Matt Wright's death?
Ellen DeGeneres called Wright 'the glue to our entire family at the Ellen Show' in an emotional video tribute. She described him as funny, smart, and kind, and revealed that the two had recently been working on a new project together before his passing.
What was Matt Wright's connection to tWitch?
DeGeneres recalled that Wright and late DJ and executive producer Stephen 'tWitch' Boss shared an exceptionally close bond during their time on the show. She said in her tribute that the two are now 'together dancing and laughing,' drawing a link between the two losses the Ellen Show community has faced.
When did The Ellen DeGeneres Show end?
The Ellen DeGeneres Show concluded its 19-year run in 2022. Matt Wright had been part of the production for a significant portion of that period, making his death a particularly personal loss for the show's alumni.
Who is tWitch and when did he pass away?
Stephen 'tWitch' Boss was the DJ and co-executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, known for his energetic presence and close rapport with DeGeneres. He passed away in December 2022, and his death was widely mourned by fans and colleagues.
