Family of Ellen's producer begs DeGeneres for more after tiny $5,000 gift

Exclusive: Matt Wright's loved ones urge Ellen DeGeneres to 'do more' after $5K donation

Ellen DeGeneres donated $5,000 to the family of her late executive producer Matt Wright.

But people who knew him best say they wish she had given more.

A source who used to work on The Ellen DeGeneres Show told Page Six exclusively that Wright's loved ones are "devastated" and hoping his former boss will step up.

"Everyone who loved him is shocked and devastated over his death," the source said.

"People who knew him do wish Ellen was doing more."

Wright died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Los Angeles.

He was 52 years old.

An official cause of death has not been released.

Wright spent 16 years working for DeGeneres, rising from a production role to executive producer.

He was known for working late — often staying at the office until 11 p.m., according to the source.

"He'd be at the office most nights until 11 p.m.," the insider said.

"He was such a hard worker."

DeGeneres posted a tearful tribute to Wright on Instagram on Monday, November 2.

"God, he was an amazing guy," she said in the video.

"He made me laugh, he would surprise me with things he did all the time. He was smart, he was kind… I mean, everyone loved him. I loved him. And it's just shocking, it's shocking."

She also revealed that she and Wright had been planning to work together on a new project before his death.

DeGeneres did not disclose details of that project.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up by Wright's family to cover funeral costs and transport his body back to his home state of New York.

The goal was set at $50,000.

The fundraising page described his death as "sudden" and said the costs were "impossible for the family to bear."

"The unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear," the GoFundMe read.

"If Matt has ever made you laugh, said an encouraging word right when you needed it, or ordered one too many appetizers for the enjoyment of the whole table, now is the time to repay the favour."

By Wednesday, November 4, the campaign had raised more than $94,000.

DeGeneres contributed $5,000 of that total.

Her net worth is estimated at $500 million.

The $5,000 donation represents 0.001% of her net worth.

Social media users were quick to notice the disparity.

"Big spender. She was crying her eyes out so much why didn't she just pay the entire 50k," one user wrote.

"Wow, 0.001% of her net worth! How generous!" added another.

"5k from an almost billionaire…….how generous…….," tweeted a third person.

A representative for DeGeneres did not respond to Page Six's request for comment.

Wright's death comes more than four years after the death of Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the longtime DJ and executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Boss died by suicide in December 2022 at age 40.

Wright was deeply affected by the loss.

"He was also incredibly close to tWitch," the source said.

"That loss was really hard for Matt."

Boss's widow, Allison Holker, donated $500 to Wright's family's GoFundMe.

Wright and his husband had both been laid off over the summer, according to the GoFundMe page.

That financial strain was part of why the campaign was started.

The family said any additional donations beyond the goal would go to support Wright's niece, Samantha, whom they called his "pride and joy."

Wright joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2006 and stayed until the show ended in 2022 after 19 seasons.

During that time, he became a familiar face to viewers, appearing in comedy segments alongside DeGeneres.

He won nine Emmy Awards for his work on the show.

The show was one of the most popular daytime talk shows in American television history.

It featured celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, audience giveaways and musical performances.

DeGeneres ended the show in 2022 amid allegations of a toxic workplace culture.