Ellen DeGeneres contributed to the fundraiser for her late friend Matthew Wright, the former “Ellen DeGeneres Show” executive producer, after his death at 52.
The comedian donated $5,000 to the GoFundMe created to get the 52-year-old’s body home to New York from Los Angeles, as well to help cover the costs of a funeral and memorial.
Social media users pointed out that DeGeneres could have “wiped out” the entire $50,000 goal — which was reached and surpassed as of Tuesday morning after nearly 400 donations.
One claimed, via Reddit, that her contribution was “equivalent to the average person donating 50 cents” or “a coat and a pair of shoes.”
While many railed against the amount as a “slap in the face,” others speculated DeGeneres may be “privately” helping Wright’s surviving family cover funeral costs.
Some urged haters to “chill out,” noting that DeGeneres appeared “sincere” in her Instagram video mourning the “good guy.”
The actress shared the “shocking” tragedy with her followers in tearful footage on Monday.
“God, he was an amazing guy,” she said. “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.”
DeGeneres added that she believes Wright and Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the show’s DJ who died in December 2022 at 40, are now “together, dancing and laughing.”
Boss’ widow, Allison Holker, made a donation to Wright’s family’s GoFundMe as well, sending $500.
Additionally, Andy Lassner, longtime executive producer of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” donated $1,000.
Wright, per the fundraiser, died Friday while working remotely in Los Angeles.
He worked on DeGeneres’ talk show from 2006 until its 2022 finale, appearing in front of the camera on multiple occasions.
DeGeneres’ emotional social media upload highlighted a few of those moments.
The show wrapped two years after its allegedly “toxic” on-set dynamic of “racism, fear, and intimidation” made rampant headlines.
DeGeneres addressed the drama in her 2024 “For Your Approval” comedy special, admitting “the thought of anyone thinking that [she’s] mean was devastating” and “consumed [her] for a long time.”
However, she clarified, “After a lifetime of caring, I just can’t anymore. So I don’t.”
DeGeneres, who has been living in England with wife Portia de Rossi since late 2024, insisted she is “happy not being a boss or a brand or a billboard, just a person.”
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