Ellen DeGeneres took a moment to remember Tayt Andersen, a favorite among her show’s guests, during a touching tribute filled with emotion.
In an emotional Instagram clip shared on Friday, Ellen reflected on Tayt’s frequent visits to her show, stating, “We had a very special guest on the show several times, and his name is Tayt. He believed I was his girlfriend—I had to tell him he was my boyfriend, which surprised my wife!”
Tayt’s journey was not an easy one; he fought bravely against a serious heart condition all his life, born without the left side of his heart and undergoing several surgeries. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 19. To honor his memory, Ellen shared a montage highlighting the joy he brought to her show.
Tayt found solace in “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” especially during his hospital stays, as his mother recalled in one segment. Nurses would make sure his therapy sessions didn’t interfere with his time watching the show.
“He was such a special little guy, radiating joy and laughter wherever he went. I will deeply miss him,” Ellen shared through her tears.
In her post, she expressed her love saying, “I love you Tayt. I love you Chrissy. You have impacted so many lives for the better.”
The Andersen family didn’t hold back on sharing the details of Tayt’s last days. They noted that he bravely faced “one last battle,” passing peacefully on Friday morning. His mother, Chrissy, left a heartfelt comment under Ellen’s tribute, thanking her for being such a supportive part of Tayt’s life.
In a heart-wrenching post shared on Instagram, the family titled it with the hashtag #JustKeepSwimming—a sweet nod to Ellen’s character Dory from “Finding Nemo.” They poured out their grief, writing: “Our hearts feel broken as we announce the news we wish hadn’t come: Our strong warrior, Tayt, found his freedom early this morning, surrounded by love. He is no longer in pain, and he won’t need any more treatments or appointments.”
They recounted their last moments together, deeply touching people who read their message. “Yesterday was spent on calls and FaceTimes with family to say goodbyes, we captured his handprint, watched his favorite movies, and read stories he loved. We were prepared but never thought we were ready to lose him.”
Watch the emotional tribute video here:
The Andersen family also posted images from Tayt’s final days on their Instagram page as they shared the heartbreaking news of his passing. He was just 19.
