With a heavy heart, we report the death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known as the DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” He passed away at the age of 40 due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The death follows reports from former employees that working conditions at the Ellen DeGeneres show are awful.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss was more than just a DJ for Ellen—he was an accomplished dancer, actor, producer, and philanthropist. He got his start in 2004 when he appeared as a contestant on Season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” He made it all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated.
However, this experience opened doors for him in both television and film. In 2011, he joined Ellen as her DJ and sidekick, making frequent appearances on the show until 2019 when he left to pursue other projects.
Twitch appeared in films such as “Magic Mike XXL” and produced shows like Fox’s ‘Beat Shazam.’ His work extended beyond entertainment; he also served as an ambassador for World of Dance and founded The SWITCH Movement, an organization dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential through dance and music education programs.
Throughout his career, tWitch was always sure to remain humble while still pursuing his passions with unwavering determination. After hearing about tWitch’s passing, one of his colleagues stated, “Stephen had so much love for everyone around him — not just family or friends but even strangers — which is why it hurts so much.” That same colleague said that tWitch lived life “with a level of grace and passion most people can only dream of achieving.”
His wife, Allison Holker, 34, said in a statement, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us. 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.”
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” she continued. “I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children. Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
Stephen “tWitch” Boss will be remembered fondly by those who knew him best—as well as those who watched him from afar—for his kindness, passion, determination, and grace. We can take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through The SWITCH Movement and all of the inspiring work he has done over the years—and will continue doing for years to come. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Rest in peace, tWitch! We will miss you dearly!
