Stephen “Twitch” Boss, a former reality star who rose to fame on TV as the DJ and then executive producer on the long-running “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” has died. He was 40.
Boss, a dancer who was on “So You Think You Can Dance” and in “Magic Mike XXL,” killed himself at a Rodeway Inn motel in Encino on Tuesday, the L.A. County coroner said in a report on Wednesday. The cause of death was said to be a gunshot wound to the head.
He was pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday at 11:25 a.m., and the coroner’s office said that an investigation is still going on.
Boss checked into the motel on Monday. On Tuesday, when motel staff went into his room and saw blood, they found his body, said a manager at the Rodeway Inn who did not want to be named.
At 11:15 a.m., the L.A. City Fire Department and paramedics responded to a call from the Rodeway Inn. They found that Boss had died and turned the investigation over to the Los Angeles Police Department and the L.A. County Coroner, said LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart.
“It breaks my heart to tell you that my husband Stephen has died,” Boss’s wife, Allison Holker Boss, said in a statement that The Times got a hold of. “Stephen brought light into every room he entered. He cared most about his family, friends, and community. Leading with love and light was the most important thing to him. He was the strongest member of our family. He was also the best husband and father, and his fans looked up to him.”
Through their YouTube channel, Boss’s whole family became well known. Boss, whose wife is also a professional dancer, shared dance workouts, comedy, and cooking videos with his three kids.
“It would be an understatement to say that he left a legacy, and the good things he did will continue to be felt. I’m sure that we won’t let a day go by without remembering him “She asked for herself and her family to be left alone.
She wrote, “Stephen, we love you and miss you, and I’ll always save the last dance for you.”
The dancer was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on September 29, 1982. He got his famous nickname as a child because he couldn’t sit still. He finished high school in 2000 and then went to Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University in Orange, California, to study dance performance.
2003’s “The Wade Robson Project” and “Star Search” featured him. He was on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2005 but lost, then returned in 2008 to finish second. He judged later seasons.
Ellen DeGeneres became a fan of Bosses on “So You Think You Can Dance” and invited him to create a dance for her in 2010. “It was a crash course in getting to know each other,” she said.
DeGeneres tweeted and Instagrammed, “I’m heartbroken.” “tWitch was light and love. I loved him like family. He’s gone.”
In 2014, the dancer became a full-time deejay on the Daytime Emmy Award-winning “Ellen DeGeneres Show.” In DeGeneres’ absence, he was an unofficial co-host and sometimes guest host until the show ceased in May 2022 after a terrible workplace controversy. He was promoted in 2020.
During the show’s last season, DeGeneres surprised her sidekick with a film montage celebrating their decade together.
Through tears, he replied, “I adore you and the family we’ve gained here.” “You let me be myself. I danced here. And a family… I always felt at home, DJ or not.”
He appears in “Blades of Glory,” “Hairspray,” “Stomp the Yard 2,” “Step Up” and “Ghostbusters” (2016). “Bones,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Famous in Love” and “Modern Family” are among his TV credits.
Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3, survive Boss.
Dance Lover
tWitch began his career on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2014 and was later elevated to the co-executive producer in 2020.
Wednesday, Ellen DeGeneres lamented the loss of Boss in an Instagram post.
“I’m heartbroken. tWitch was nothing but love and light “She authored the text. “He was a member of my family, and I cherished him with all my heart. He will be missed. Please send Allison and his beautiful children Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia your love and support.”
In 2008, the dancer and DJ began his career in the entertainment industry by coming second on So You Think You Can Dance; he later served as a judge for season 17 of the dance competition show.
“We are startled and heartbroken by the news of Stephen (tWitch) Boss’s demise. tWitch was a multifaceted talent and vital member of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Warner Bros. Television Group.
He had the power to bring people together daily to engage in happiness and fun “Wednesday, Warner Bros. Television Group issued a statement.
Boss has also appeared in films such as Step Up: All In and Magic Mike XXL, as well as the 2018 Disney+ film The Hip Hop Nutcracker.
The native of Alabama attended Southern Union State Community College and Chapman University to study dance performance.
His passion for dancing permeated every part of his life, as he strove to mimic dance legends Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.
“My own opinion is that Gene Kelly was the best of all time. Gene Kelly, as he is a man’s man. I adore Fred Astaire, but he was so slick, and it was wonderful. He was so refined “In 2014, the boss stated in an interview with the Associated Press: However, Gene Kelly may be compared to someone’s father who chose to get up from the couch, dance around, and cleans the kitchen.
Boss shared dance videos on TikTok with his wife, who is also a talented dancer, as well as their children.
Online Tributes to the Loss of A Celebrity
Boss was also recognized on social media by celebrities including Questlove, Kerry Washington, and Carrie Ann Inaba.
“What can I say, man? Peace be with his family as they go through this difficult moment. I pray that we may all learn to relax and enjoy life.
A day’s journey can take unexpected turns, and it’s impossible to predict who might be on the precipice “Questlove shared a picture of himself on Instagram.
“Through his song and dance, Twitch spread happiness and affection over the globe. Those who knew and loved him will be feeling the weight of my sorrow today “Instagram was also used by Washington to share photos and videos.
“He was one of a kind. Good guy, a loving spouse, a creative soul, movers and shaker, showman par excellence. Simply put, he was remarkable. He was capable of everything, and he did it all with a sense of pride, ease, and even swagger. You’ve got me stumped, Twitch.
The feeling in my chest has stopped. It’s like I don’t want to breathe out for fear that someone won’t notice my distress and fix this terrible error. Then everything will be fine again “A judge on Dancing with the Stars, Inaba shared a photo on Instagram.
TMZ broke the news of the boss’s death.
His wife and three kids will miss him terribly.
