Stephen (tWitch) Boss, the beloved lifelong dance DJ in The Ellen DeGeneres Show and former contestant on So you think you can danceHe has died at the age of 40.
His wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed his death in a statement posted Wednesday on People.com. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Boss’s death to CBC News on Wednesday.
“It is with the greatest regret that I have to share that my husband Stephen has left us,” she said. “Stephen lit up every room he walked into. He valued family, friends and community above all else, and leading with love and light meant everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father and an inspiration to his fans.”
His statement did not include any details about the cause of his death.
a love for dancing
tWitch began his tenure in The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2014 and was later promoted to co-executive producer in 2020.
Ellen DeGeneres mourned Boss in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
“I am heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light,” she wrote. “He was my family and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Send his love and support to Allison and her beautiful children: Weslie, Maddox and Zaia.”
The dancer and DJ began his career in show business in 2008, placing as runner-up in So you think you can dance and later judged season 17 of the dance competition show.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news of the passing of Stephen (tWitch) Boss. tWitch was a multifaceted talent and an integral part of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and our Warner Bros. Television Group family. He had the ability to bring communities of people together every day to share joy and laughter,” Warner Bros. Television Group said in a statement Wednesday.
Boss also appeared in movies like Intensify: All In Y Magic Mike XXL and appeared on Disney+ The Hip Hop Nutcrackerreleased this year.
The Alabama native studied dance at Southern Union State Community College and Chapman University.
His love of dance permeated all aspects of his life as he aspired to emulate greats like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.
“My personal opinion: The greatest of all time had to be Gene Kelly, man. Gene Kelly, because he’s a man’s man. I love Fred Astaire, but Fred Astaire was so suave and cool. He had so much class.” Boss said in an interview with the Associated Press in 2014. “But Gene Kelly, he could be like someone’s father, who just decided to get off the couch, dance, and clean the kitchen.”
Boss posted dance videos on TikTok with his wife, who is also a professional dancer, with their children as special guests.
Celebrities cry on social media
Celebrities like Questlove, Kerry Washington and Carrie Ann Inaba also honored Boss on social media.
“I’m at a loss for words man. May his family find a resolution in this dark time. May we all find peace of mind in our everyday lives. Every day is a winding road and you may never know who’s on the edge,” Questlove posted. On Instagram.
“Twitch brought joy and love to people around the world through music and dance. My heart goes out today for his family and all those who knew and loved him,” Washington also posted on Instagram.
“He was special. A good man, husband, artist, dancer, entertainer, a shining light. He was extraordinary. He could do anything and he did it with joy, grace and a little swagger. Twitch, I’m lost. My heart seems to be frozen. Like I don’t want to breathe out, hoping that maybe if I don’t breathe out, someone will correct this horrible mistake. And everything will be alright again,” Inaba. , a dancing with the stars judge, posted on Instagram.
Boss’s death was first reported by TMZ.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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