Ellen DeGeneres Mourns Young Fan Tayt Andersen, Her “Boyfriend,” After His Death at 19

26 September 2025

Ellen DeGeneres has publicly grieved the passing of Tayt Andersen, a familiar face on her daytime talk show who she affectionately called her “only boyfriend.” Tayt, who battled a congenital heart condition and later cancer, died peacefully at the age of 19 with family by his side after a long health journey.

DeGeneres shared an emotional tribute via Instagram in which she recalled his laughter spirit and the special bond they shared. In the video she said Tayt “brought joy life and laughter into every room” he entered and added “I will miss him.” She referenced their running private joke: when Tayt called her his girlfriend on one of his earliest appearances she had declared him her boyfriend in return much to everyone’s amusement.

Tayt first appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a child during hospital stays, insisting that his treatments be scheduled around the episode recordings. His family shared that he asked doctors to pause appointments so he could be on the show and asked nurses to watch with him, placing his love for Ellen front and center even in the most difficult times. In one clip DeGeneres is heard telling Tayt that his heart was special long before any transplant, a line that resonated deeply with viewers.

His mother Chrissy Andersen posted the announcement of his death with a broken heart writing that their “sweet strong warrior Tayt” was released from his “bodily prison” early September 26 after years of battling illness with bravery and grace. They described his final hours as peaceful and surrounded by fierce love. In the same post they asked for grace and prayers as they move through unimaginable grief.

Through the years Tayt endured a series of formidable medical challenges. He was born with half a heart, underwent over a dozen surgeries by age nine, later received a heart transplant, and as a teen developed post-transplant lymphoma followed by bladder cancer. In mid-2025 the disease had spread across multiple organs and doctors gave him a few months to live. Despite the prognosis he fought on, his family recounting how he rallied periodically and brought light to everyone around him.

Ellen’s tribute video included a montage of their shared moments on her show. She addressed Chrissy by name and ended by saying “I love you, Tayt. I love you, Chrissy. You touched so many lives.” The post’s comments section was filled with condolences and thanks from fans and colleagues acknowledging Tayt’s impact and offering support to the grieving family.

In sharing his story the Andersen family also highlighted Tayt’s resolve and joy. In his final days he requested to watch his favorite films, talk to loved ones, have hand prints made, and spend moments in peace. They described that even when he seemed alert one morning, an infection soon took hold and he declined overnight. The family said, “We knew Tayt’s time was limited but we honestly weren’t ready to lose him.”

In grief DeGeneres is not alone. Many viewers and fans expressed how Tayt’s strength and openness inspired them. He became more than a recurring guest he became a symbol of hope of laughter in trials and of living fully even when the body is fragile. His legacy now joins those of other children whose courage and spirit touched millions beyond their own families.

This public mourning also underscores the deep personal connections forged between hosts and their young guests, especially in long-running talk shows. Tayt’s presence transcended performance. He was welcomed not as a spectacle but as a person whose health and life were acknowledged and honored. DeGeneres in remembering him shows how audiences often see beyond celebrity to the humanity in shared stories of struggle and laughter.

In honoring Tayt, DeGeneres does more than grieve. She preserves his memory, reminds us of the fragility of life, and shows how compassion can ripple outward when someone dares to live vulnerably.