Early life and education
Boss was born Stephen Laurel Boss on September 29, 1982, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Connie Boss Alexander and Sandford Rose.1 He earned the nickname "tWitch" as a child because he could not sit still, a trait that translated into an early affinity for popping, ticking, and hip-hop movement styles.
He graduated from Lee High School in Montgomery in 2000, then pursued formal dance training at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and later at Chapman University in Orange, California.1
Career
Early work (2003-2007)
Boss first gained national attention in 2003, when he was a semifinalist on MTV's The Wade Robson Project and finished as runner-up on the talent competition Star Search.1 During this period he also worked as a choreographer, creating routines for South Korean recording artist Seven and training artists at YG Entertainment, including the group Big Bang.1
His film work began with uncredited appearances in two 2007 releases: the comedy Blades of Glory and the musical Hairspray.3
So You Think You Can Dance
Boss auditioned for season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance in 2007 but did not advance to the Top 20. He returned for season 4 in 2008 and became one of the competition's breakout performers, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Joshua Allen. A contemporary piece he performed with Katee Shean, choreographed by Mia Michaels, earned a nomination for Outstanding Choreography at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009).1
He went on to serve as an All-Star in seasons 7, 8, and 9 of the series, and as Team Captain for "Team Street" in season 12. In 2022, the show announced he would join as a permanent judge for season 17.1
Film and television (2010-2022)
Boss built a recurring presence in the Step Up dance film franchise: he appeared as Jason Hardlerson in Step Up 3D (2010), returned in Step Up Revolution (2012) and Step Up: All In (2014).3 He played Malik in Magic Mike XXL (2015) alongside Channing Tatum.3 His final theatrical credit was The Hip Hop Nutcracker (2022), released on Disney+ shortly before his death.3
Television guest credits included Bones, Drop Dead Diva, Modern Family, Young & Hungry, Touch, and Dancing with the Stars.3 He hosted TWitch, Please... Help Me Dance! (2018), co-hosted Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings on Freeform and Disney+ with his wife Allison Holker (2018-2020), hosted Clash of the Cover Bands (2021), and co-hosted The Real Dirty Dancing (2022).3
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2014-2022)
Beginning April 1, 2014, Boss joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show as guest DJ.1 The role expanded significantly: he became a recurring co-host and segment performer, a sidekick on the spin-off game show Ellen's Game of Games, and on August 17, 2020, was elevated to co-executive producer of the main series.1 He remained with the show through its final episode in May 2022, making it the longest professional chapter of his career.
Ghostbusters
In Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), Boss appeared in a supporting role as a Police Officer during the film's ghost-invasion sequence.2 He is credited onscreen as "Stephen tWitch Boss."3 The appearance was consistent with his profile at the time, as the film's production overlapped with his peak visibility on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Personal life
Boss met dancer Allison Holker through So You Think You Can Dance. The couple married on December 10, 2013, at Nigel Lythgoe's Villa San Juliette Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles, California.1 Boss adopted Holker's daughter Weslie from a previous relationship. Together they had two more children: a son, Maddox, born in March 2016, and a daughter, Zaia, born in November 2019.1
In partnership with his wife, Boss co-founded the "DSG x tWitch + Allison Collection," an athleisure clothing line sold through Dick's Sporting Goods.1
Death
On December 13, 2022, Boss was found dead in Encino, California, at the age of 40. His death was ruled a suicide by gunshot wound.1 He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.1 His death prompted widespread public tributes from the dance and entertainment communities, as well as a public statement from Ellen DeGeneres. He was 40 years old.
References
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Wikipedia, "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss," accessed 2026-06-13, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_%22tWitch%22_Boss
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Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), dir. Paul Feig. Sony Pictures.
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IMDb, "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss" (nm1361042), accessed 2026-06-13, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1361042/
