Death certificate reveals cause of death of former Ellen DeGeneres Show producer Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright, a longtime executive producer of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", died from cardiopulmonary arrest, with hypertension listed as the underlying cause, according to a death certificate obtained by People magazine.

Matthew Wright, a longtime executive producer of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, died from cardiopulmonary arrest, with hypertension listed as the underlying cause, according to a death certificate obtained by People magazine.

The certificate also listed obstructive sleep apnea and Class II obesity as contributing conditions. Wright died on October 30, aged 52.

Wright’s family described his death as an “unfathomable tragedy” in a GoFundMe appeal created to help cover the cost of bringing his body from Los Angeles to New York, as well as funeral and memorial expenses.

The fundraiser said Wright’s husband, Justin, his father, sister and niece were in New York and wanted to be together to say goodbye. It added that Wright and Justin had both been laid off during the summer, leaving the family struggling with the unexpected costs.

Wright worked on DeGeneres’s daytime talk show for 16 years. The comedian paid tribute to him in an emotional Instagram video posted on November 2.

“He was an amazing guy,” DeGeneres said tearfully. “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.”

She said she and Wright had been preparing to work on a project together before his death.

“We’re gonna miss him. He is and always will be the glue to our entire family at the Ellen show,” she said.