A top executive on the popular daytime talk show Sherri has died in an apparent suicide while reportedly under investigation over his handling of the show’s budget.
Matt Uzzle, 50, was found dead during a police welfare check at his home in Piermont, New York on February 13, with sources telling Page Six that the death appears to be a suicide.
Uzzle formerly oversaw The Wendy William’s Show and continued as executive in charge of production for Sherri Shepherd when she took over the syndicated slot with her own self-titled show.
The show’s parent company Debmar-Mercury was probing Uzzle after learning that the show had not paid rent at New York’s Chelsea Studios since September, according to Page Six.
A spokesman for the firm told DailyMail.com: ‘Debmar-Mercury has retained [law firm] Morgan Lewis to help us investigate the matter and, pending the outcome of that investigation, will have no further comment.’
Matt Uzzle, 50, was found dead during a police welfare check at his home in Piermont, New York on February 13. Sherri aired a tribute (above) at the end of the February 15 episode
Uzzle’s primary job was to manage production and oversee the budget at Sherri.
According to Page Six’s sources, there had been recent complaints about issues with petty cash in several departments.
‘There was real concern among staff that the show was getting shut down. Debmar had to step in,’ one person told the outlet.
Uzzle reportedly told superiors that he needed a few days to organize his paperwork after being confronted about the budget problems.
After he wasn’t heard from for several days, he was found dead by police performing a welfare check in Piermont.
Police declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
Public records show that Uzzle lived in a condo in Piermont. The condo last sold for $590,000 in 2015 and is currently valued at $782,000 by Redfin.
Uzzle was executive in charge of production for Sherri Shepherd (above) on her daytime talk show Sherri, which replaced The Wendy Williams Show
At the end of the February 15 episode, Sherri included an on-air ‘in memoriam’ tribute to Uzzle.
Uzzle, a daytime Emmy nominee in 2016 for his work on The Wendy Williams Show, also had credits with The Montel Williams Show and Maury.
Sherri launched in September 2022, and served as a successor to The Wendy Williams Show.
Shepherd had filled in for Williams regularly as interim host during her absence for much of the final season due to medical issues.
Sherri is filmed in the same studio as Williams’ show using a reconfigured set, and much of Williams’ crew followed Shepherd to the new production.
For confidential support, call or text the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.