Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, ‘Ellen’ show’s dancing DJ, dies at 40

LOS ANGELES — Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the former reality star who rose through the TV ranks as the DJ and later executive producer on the long-running “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” has died. He was 40.

Boss, a dancer who competed on “So You Think You Can Dance” and appeared in “Magic Mike XXL,” died by suicide Tuesday in a Los Angeles hotel room, the Los Angeles Times confirmed Wednesday.

An investigation is pending, according to an L.A. County coroner’s report.

His wife, Allison Holker Boss, also confirmed his death in a statement obtained by the L.A. Times.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said. “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”

Boss’ entire family became well known through their YouTube channel. Boss and his wife, also a professional dancer, and their three children shared family dance workouts, comedy and cooking videos.

“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory,” she added, asking for privacy for herself and her family.

“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you,” she wrote.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, on Sept. 29, 1982, the dancer got his famous nickname because he couldn’t sit still when he was a child. He graduated from high school in 2000 and went on to study dance performance at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University in Orange.

He competed on MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project” as well as on “Star Search” in 2003. He made his first appearance on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2005 but lost, then returned to become the competition’s runner-up in 2008. He came back for later seasons of the show as a judge.

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres became a fan during Boss’ run on “So You Think You Can Dance” and the two connected when she asked him to choreograph a dance for her in 2010. She described their work that summer as “a crash course in getting to know each other.”

“I’m heartbroken,” DeGeneres wrote Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram. “tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him.”

The dancer turned to DJing full time on the syndicated “Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014 during the the Daytime Emmy Award-winning series’ 11th season. He also served as an unofficial co-host and occasional guest host in DeGeneres’ absence until the show ended its 19-season run in May 2022 following a toxic workplace scandal. He was promoted to co-executive producer in 2020.

During the show’s farewell season, DeGeneres surprised her sidekick with a video montage saluting their decade together, adding that he changed her life and her TV show.

“I love you and also, I love the family that we’ve gained here,” he said through tears. “You gave me a place where I can just be myself. I came here to dance one time. And now I’ve gained a family… Whether I was a real DJ or not, I always felt at home.”

As an actor, he appeared in the films “Ghostbusters,” “Blades of Glory,” “Hairspray,” “Stomp the Yard 2” and the “Step Up” franchise. On the small screen, his credits included “Bones,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Famous in Love” and “Modern Family.”

Boss is survived by his wife and three children Weslie, Maddox and Zaia.

If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.