Ellen DJ Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss dies aged 40: Stars pay tribute
Jada Pinkett Smith, Alyssa Milano and Ciara headlined celebrity tributes to Ellen’s ‘tWitch’ DJ, following his death at age 40. from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
‘tWitch’ – real name Stephen Boss, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room – his wife Allison Holker had reported him missing after he left their home without his car on Tuesday.
Pinkett Smith. 51, she shared a snap with the late star, whom she met when they starred in 2015’s Magic Mike XXL, and said her “heart ached” for her loved ones.
She wrote: ‘I woke up this morning to the news that tWitch is gone. My heart aches for his wife Allison and his children Weslie, Maddox and Zaia. My condolences to all of his loved ones that he has left behind.
Tragic loss: Jada Pinkett Smith headlined celebrity tributes to Ellen’s ‘tWitch’ DJ, following his death at age 40 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“We had a lot of great moments on the set of Magic Mike. He was so sweet and kind and generous. Many people suffer in silence.
‘I wish I had known I didn’t have to. May his beautiful, shining soul rest in the arms of the Great Supreme and may that same Higher Power heal the broken hearts of his loved ones.’
Alyssa Milano shared a heartbreaking video of the DJ performing at So You Think You Can Dance, with the caption: ‘RIP TWITCH’. Dammit.’
Ciara, 37, posted a clip of the couple dancing backstage at Ellen’s show, writing: “I’m so heartbroken to hear the news that you’re no longer with us.”
Much missed: Ciara, 37, posted a clip of the couple dancing backstage at Ellen’s show, writing: ‘I’m so heartbroken to hear the news that you’re no longer with us’
RIP: Alyssa Milano shared a heartbreaking video of the DJ performing at So You Think You Can Dance, with the caption: ‘RIP TWITCH. Dammit’
Duel: Degenerates. 64, she shared a snap of the couple embracing and called the star “pure love and light.”
‘I have always known you as joy, laughter, good times and a big smile! Heaven has gained an angel today!
‘May you rest in paradise. Praying for his family during this difficult time.’
Katie Couric, 65, shared a touching post with the star and sent love to her grieving family.
She wrote: This is very, very sad… Sending love to all of you during this incredibly difficult time.
‘If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or text HOME to 741741 for additional resources.’
Tributes: Showbiz stars paid tribute
Heartbreak: Former executive producer of the Ellen show, Andy Lassner, paid tribute to Boss, saying “Rest up my friend” along with a photo of the two of them and DeGeneres.
Former executive producer of Ellen’s show, Andy Lassner, paid tribute to Boss, saying “Rest up, my friend” along with a photo of the two of them and DeGeneres.
boss wHe worked on the Ellen show from 2014 until it ended in 2022 and became an executive producer in 2020.
The host, 64, shared a touching snap of the couple embracing on the set of the show, writing: ‘I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family and he loved him with all my heart. I will miss it. Send your love and support to Allison and her beautiful children: Weslie, Maddox and Zaia.’
Police received a call at around 11:15 a.m. to report that Boss had been found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Boss and Holker celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary just three days before the tragedy, and Allison posted an emotional post online.
They shared three children and married in 2013, hosting ‘Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings’ together on Disney+.
Boss is survived by his wife, also a professional dancer, and their three children, Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3.
An LAPD spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that the incident was being handled by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office as there were no signs of “foul play”.
Paying tribute to her husband, Allison said in a statement to People: ‘It is with the deepest of hearts that I have to share that my husband Stephen has left us.
‘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.
“To say that he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.
I’m sure not a day will go by that we don’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for me and especially for our three children.”
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you and I will always save the last dance for you.”
The couple also posted a video on their YouTube channel, looking happy, for a beginner dance cardio workout two days before they died.
Boss got his start as a DJ on the show after breaking into show business on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project before becoming a runner-up on Star Search.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ worked on Ellen’s show from 2014 until it ended in 2022 and became executive producer in 2020
Boss is survived by his wife and three children, Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3.
She later competed on the dance show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in 2008 where she placed second, then returned as an All-Star and returned as a judge in 2022.
The enthusiastic dancer posted a video of him and his wife dancing in front of their Christmas tree just two days before he died.
Ellen’s show was canceled earlier this year amid allegations of harassment and a “toxic workplace” and the final episode aired on May 26.
Boss spoke about the criticism of the work culture on the Ellen Show, defending it until the end of the show.
He told US Weekly: “We can’t talk too legally about it, but I will say this, there has been love.”
“Obviously there are some things to address, but from my point of view and many others, there has been love.
The couple celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary just three days before the tragedy, and Allison and Stephen posted an emotional post online.
Twitch posted a video with his wife Allison Holker just two days before his death, with the couple dancing in front of a Christmas tree.
The boss left the house on foot before being found dead in a Los Angeles hotel after his wife raised the alarm.
‘I will leave it at that until there is a time when we can speak more publicly. There has been love and there will continue to be love.
In 2020, at least ten former and current Ellen Show employees claimed they had faced harassment and racism behind the scenes on the long-running talk show.
The show, which ran from 2003 to 2022, built a brand around the compassionate catchphrase “Be Kind”, often promoted by the show’s namesake.
However, staff members who had firsthand knowledge of the daily happenings of the production said that the charitable efforts and slogans were ‘all for show’.
His wife Allison said she would always ‘save the last dance’ for her husband in a statement after his death.
The employees placed much of the blame on the show’s executive producers, but claimed that Ellen herself had not been involved enough to see what was happening on her own show.
Months after the first claims surfaced, DeGeneres gave an interview in which she said the attacks on her “felt very misogynistic.”
It was devastating. I’m a kind person. I’m a person who likes to make people happy,’ he said, adding that he understood how people, even his fans, could come to believe that the allegations about his personal behavior were true.
- If you or a loved one need help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Boss got his start as a DJ on the show after breaking into show business on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project before becoming a runner-up on Star Search.