American singer and television personality Jennifer Hudson has joined colleagues and friends in mourning longtime television producer Matthew Wright, who died suddenly on October 30 at the age of 52.
Hudson, 45, paid tribute to the late producer in an emotional Instagram post on Monday, November 2, recalling his contribution to the launch of her daytime programme, The Jennifer Hudson Show.
The Grammy-winning singer, who disclosed that Wright had visited the show's set just a day before his death, shared photographs capturing moments they spent together during his time on the programme.
One of the pictures showed Hudson posing alongside Wright on the set of her show, while another captured the producer assisting her behind the scenes as she studied a cue card.
Expressing her sadness over his passing, Hudson described Wright as an important member of the production team whose influence extended beyond the television industry.
“So saddened by the loss of Matt Wright, one of our former producers who helped launch @jenniferhudsonshow. He was just back to visit on Thursday for our Halloween show!” Hudson wrote.
“He made such a huge impact on so many people in this industry and beyond! My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Matt! 💜,” she added.
Hudson's tribute followed an emotional video shared by television host Ellen DeGeneres, who also mourned Wright's death and reflected on their 16-year working relationship on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he served as an executive producer.
Describing him as an exceptional colleague and friend, DeGeneres recalled his humour, kindness and ability to make people around him happy.
“He was an amazing guy,” she said in the video. “He was funny. God, he made me laugh. He would surprise me with things that he did all the time. He was smart. He was kind. He was the part of our show that — I mean, everyone loved him. I loved him. And it’s just shocking — it’s shocking.”
She further described Wright as the person who held the show's team together, saying his absence would be deeply felt by everyone who worked with him.
“... We’re gonna miss him. He is and always will be the glue to our entire family at the Ellen show,” she said.
Another former colleague, Andy Lassner, also expressed shock over Wright's sudden death, revealing that he had seen the producer at the filming of The Jennifer Hudson Show's Halloween episode shortly before the tragedy.
Lassner, who worked alongside Wright on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, said the encounter had taken place only hours before news of his death emerged.
In his tribute, he described Wright as an outstanding professional and an even more remarkable person, recalling his devotion to his family, particularly the care he gave his late mother.
“We are all in shock. He was a brilliant producer and an even better human being. The way he looked after his mom, flying back and forth from Los Angeles to New York practically every weekend before she died, showed what an incredible son he was,” Lassner wrote.
Wright's death was also described as an “unfathomable tragedy” in a GoFundMe campaign established to support his family with the unexpected expenses arising from his passing.
According to the fundraising appeal, his husband, father, sister and niece were in New York and hoped to reunite to give him a proper farewell.
“His husband, father, sister and niece are in New York, desperate to be reunited for a proper goodbye. We’re asking for all of his friends, who Matt loved so fully, to help the family at this time,” the appeal stated.
The campaign further disclosed that Wright and his husband, Justin, had both been laid off during the summer, leaving the family struggling to meet the unexpected costs of transporting his remains, as well as funeral and memorial arrangements.
“As many of you know, Matt & Justin were both laid off this summer. And the unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear,” the fundraising appeal added.
Tributes from Hudson, DeGeneres and Lassner have highlighted Wright's lasting contribution to daytime television and the personal relationships he built with colleagues throughout his career.
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