Ellen DeGeneres is facing backlash after revealing that one of her longtime producers died unexpectedly at just 52 years old.
The former talk show host paid tribute to Matthew Wright, who worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 16 years, but her $5,000 donation to a GoFundMe campaign for his family has left some social media users questioning why she didn’t contribute more given her millionaire status. Read more about the situation and how the internet’s reacting below.
Ellen DeGeneres Announces The Unexpected Death Of Her Longtime Producer Matthew Wright
Ellen DeGeneres is mourning the loss of Matthew Wright, a longtime executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show who frequently appeared in sketches and segments alongside the comedian.
Wright, who was 52, died on October 30th while working remotely in Los Angeles. His death was described by his family online as an “unfathomable tragedy,” though they have not publicly disclosed a cause of death. In an emotional Instagram video shared on November 2nd, Ellen remembered Wright as a funny, smart, and kind person who was beloved by everyone on the show.
She also revealed that the two had been planning to work together on a new project before his sudden death.
“He is and always will be the glue to our entire family at the Ellen show,” she said, while expressing her condolences to his husband, Justin, and the rest of his family.
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Ellen Donates $5K To Matthew's GoFundMe After His Death
Following the announcement of the late producer's death, a GoFundMe campaign began circulating online to help his family cover the unexpected costs of bringing him home to New York, arranging his funeral, and holding a memorial in Los Angeles.
The fundraiser explained that he and his husband, Justin, had both been laid off over the summer, making the expenses especially difficult for the family to manage.
"The unexpected costs of getting Matt home, a funeral, and a memorial are impossible for the family to bear," read the GoFundMe description.
Ellen was among those who contributed to the fundraiser, donating $5,000 toward its $50,000 goal. However, her contribution has prompted criticism from some social media users who believe the former talk show host, whose net worth is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions, could have covered the entirety of the family's expenses herself.
"Why did he need a GoFundMe?" an Instagram user asked. "You could have just paid for everything. The 5K donation you made is 0.001% of your net worth. I don't get it."
"Can Ellen's half-a-billion-dollar net worth not cover this?" asked another. "Every day, people can't afford groceries."
"She could easily cover the entire cost by reaching out privately to do so," a user speculated. "50k is a nickel to her. She won't, though."
"Ellen should have stepped up and covered everything," a user insisted. "I just don't get the 'love' she has for him."
"If she's so heartbroken, take care of the family," another added. "What the heck has happened to Ellen?"
