Matt Wright privately struggled with health issues before his shocking death at age 52.
Page Six has learned that those close to the late talk show producer knew he suffered from “heart problems” before his death. The official cause of death has not been released.
Wright died in his sleep in Los Angeles on October 30. Shortly after his passing, a GoFundMe was created to help move Wright’s body to his hometown of New York for a proper burial.
Funds raised will also be donated to a memorial in Los Angeles.
“There’s talk of a celebration of life, most likely in Los Angeles and New York, because he had so many people close to him on both coasts,” a source said.
Any remaining contributions will support Wright’s “pride and joy” – his niece, Sami, the page states.
The campaign was launched because Wright and her husband, Justin Fusella, were both laid off earlier this summer.
During her 16 years working on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Wright eventually earned the role of executive producer — a testament to her work ethic.
“He was in the office almost every night until 11 p.m.,” a source previously shared of Wright’s hard-working mentality. Everyone who loved him is shocked and devastated by his death.
The nine-time Emmy-winning producer has also worked on “The View,” “The Drew Barrymore Show” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
Wright visited Hudson on set just hours before his death.
The campaign launched with a goal of $50,000, although that goal has since nearly doubled.
DeGeneres made a public donation of $5,000 to the GoFundMe and quickly received backlash for that amount.
“$5,000 from an almost billionaire…….how generous……. one social media user posted on Twitter.
“Wow, 0.001% of his net worth! How generous!” » another added.
According to a source on set, those close to Wright would have liked his former boss to contribute more.
“People who knew him wish Ellen had done more.”
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