A teenager who was a popular guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show has died after a long health battle and cancer diagnosis.

Anderson was born with only the right side of his heart, undergoing underwent 12 surgeries by the time he was nine. 

Anderson was born with only the right side of his heart, undergoing 12 surgeries by the time he was nine. 

He had a heart transplant at just ten years old which lead to post-transplant lymphoma in his teens.

He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2024 at 18. 

By mid-2025, the cancer had advanced to his pelvis, spine, abdomen, chest, and neck, as shared on the GoFundMe page created by his family to help cover hospice expenses.

He was given just four months to live. 

Three months later, his family announced his death on September 26 when he was just 19 years old.

In their emotional tribute, his family expressed: ‘Despite the overwhelming grief that leaves us feeling broken and lost, we are grateful that Tayt is now free—no more suffering, no more appointments, and no more treatments.

Tayt Andersen passed away at 19 after battling a heart condition and cancer his entire life

Andersen shot to stardom at seven when he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres show

‘Tayt was loved by so many, and he impacted countless lives with his incredible smile, his quiet strength, his kindness, and his beautiful love.’

When he was born, doctors said he would live for no more than three months. 

Despite his health struggles, Tayt lived a full life. He traveled, graduated high school, and acted as a beacon to countless families just like his.

Anderson made his debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2013 after the host discovered the young fan, then seven years old, who adored her show and affectionately called her his ‘girlfriend.’

She told Tayt that he was her ‘only boyfriend.’

His mother Chrissy Becker explained that the boy loved to turn on DeGeneres’s show during his hospital visits. He even made his doctors and nurses watch with him. 

Andersen appeared on the show multiple times with his mom Chrissy (left) and DeGeneres showered him and his family with gifts, checks, and support

She said they had to schedule their visits around the show’s air time and he would tell doctors to leave if they came in while he was watching. 

Andersen appeared on the show several times, most notably in 2015 when he stopped by to tell her that he had finally got a new heart. 

Chrissy told DeGeneres that her show and her support lifted Anderson’s spirits, even helping him recover quickly during rough hospital stays. 

He was also a fan of Ellen’s character Dory and adopted her mantra ‘just keep swimming’ throughout his treatment. 

Even doctors knew how much she had helped her son. 

In June 2025, he was given just four months to live. He passed away on September 26

Chrissy said: ‘They have noticed that when Tayt struggles you always seem to come in and give him the boost that he needs.’ 

Throughout their appearances on the show, Ellen and her team sponsored Andersen’s family with money, gifts, vacations, iPads, and even a new car.

After hearing about his death, DeGeneres posted a video talking about how much he’d meant to her. 

She said: ‘He was a very special little human being. Just brought joy and life and laughter into every room that he was in. And I will miss him.’