Ellen DeGeneres Heartbroken as She Mourns Loss of Beloved ‘Boyfriend’ Tayt after his death at 19

Ellen DeGeneres is mourning the loss of Tayt Andersen, a longtime guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who passed away from cancer at 19.

Andersen, born with a congenital heart condition, appeared on the show several times. DeGeneres often called him her “only boyfriend” after he once referred to her as his “girlfriend.”

In a tearful Instagram video, DeGeneres, 67, said:
“He was a very special little human being who brought joy and laughter into every room. I will miss him.”

She also shared in her caption: “I love you Tayt. I love you Chrissy,” addressing his mom, Chrissy Becker. Chrissy responded, “Thank you for being his girlfriend. You gave him so much strength.”

Andersen’s family announced his death on Sept. 26, writing:
“Our sweet, strong warrior Tayt was released from his bodily prison at 1:30 a.m., surrounded by love. We are so thankful he is finally free- no more pain, no more treatments.”

Tayt endured more than 10 surgeries by age 9, received a heart transplant at 10, and later battled post-transplant lymphoma. In 2024, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer that spread widely by June 2025. Doctors gave him only months to live.

He first appeared on Ellen in 2013 and became a fan favorite, later celebrating his transplant on the show with the line: “I got myself a new heart!”