Ellen DeGeneres mourns Tayt Andersen after death at 19

Ellen DeGeneres is mourning the death of Tayt Andersen, a former guest who appeared on her talk show several times while living with a congenital heart condition. He died Friday morning at age 19 from cancer, his family said.

Andersen’s appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show coincided with his ongoing health journey, as he lived with a congenital heart condition. The family announced Friday morning that he died from cancer at age 19.

DeGeneres, 67, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, fighting back tears as she reflected on their bond. "We had a very special guest on the show several times, and his name is Tayt," DeGeneres began in the clip. "And he thought that I was his girlfriend, and so I told him he was my boyfriend, which shocked my wife." "But he was a very special little human being, and just brought joy and life and laughter into every room that he was in," she added. "I will miss him." In the caption, she wrote, "I love you Tayt. I love you Chrissy," referring to Tayt's mother, Chrissy Becker. "You touched so many lives."

Chrissy Becker replied in the post's comments, thanking DeGeneres for the tribute: "We love you so much. Thank you for being his girlfriend you gave him so much strength."

The family has asked for privacy as they grieve. The tribute post has drawn condolences from viewers who followed Tayt’s journey on the show. The story is developing.

In the days since, DeGeneres has shared additional memories of Tayt in social posts that underscore the close connection the two shared through the program, while friends and fans remember a young man who inspired others with his resilience.

The family’s statement and DeGeneres’s tribute reflect how a television platform can amplify private grief and highlight the impact of a guest’s journey on a broad audience.