Early life and education
Stephen Laurel Boss was born on September 29, 1982, in Montgomery, Alabama.1 He grew up in Montgomery and attended Lee High School, graduating in 2000.1 He went on to study dance performance at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and later attended Chapman University in California.1
His childhood nickname "tWitch" originated from his restless, high-energy movement style and became his professional identity throughout his career.1
Career
Boss began competing in dance competitions in the early 2000s. In 2003 he appeared on MTV's The Wade Robson Project as a semifinalist and finished as runner-up on CBS's Star Search.1 He auditioned unsuccessfully for So You Think You Can Dance in Season 3 before returning for Season 4 in 2008.1
So You Think You Can Dance
Boss finished as the Season 4 runner-up in 2008, earning wide attention for a contemporary piece titled "Mercy" performed with partner Katee Shean and choreographed by Mia Michaels.1 The routine earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for outstanding choreography.1 He returned to the show as an All-Star dancer in Seasons 5, 7, 8, and 9 (2009-2013), and served as a team captain for "Team Street" in Season 12 (2015).1 Beginning with Season 15 in 2018, he became a judge on the series and was announced as a permanent judge for Season 17 in 2022.1
Film work
Boss transitioned into acting in 2007 with appearances in Blades of Glory and the musical film Hairspray.1 He subsequently appeared in:
- Stomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010)
- Step Up 3D (2010)
- Step Up Revolution (2012)
- Step Up: All In (2014)
- Magic Mike XXL (2015)
- Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), as a Police Officer
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker (2022, Disney+)
He also made television guest appearances on Bones and Drop Dead Diva, and performed on Dancing with the Stars in 2013 alongside his wife Allison Holker.1
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Boss joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a guest DJ beginning April 1, 2014, quickly becoming a fixture of the program's opening segment and an audience favorite.1 He was elevated to co-executive producer of the show on August 17, 2020, and continued in that role until the series finale in 2022.1 His eight-year tenure on the show made him one of the program's most recognizable figures.
Choreography and other projects
Beyond performing and acting, Boss built a substantial choreography practice. He choreographed for South Korean artists including Seven and for YG Entertainment acts including Big Bang. He was a member of the hip hop dance crews Breed OCLA and Chill Factor Crew. He co-hosted Ellen's Game of Games and co-hosted Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings with Allison Holker on Freeform and Disney+ from 2017 to 2020. He also co-created an athleisure clothing line, the "DSG x tWitch + Allison Collection," in partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods.
Ghostbusters
Boss appeared as a Police Officer in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), directed by Paul Feig. His was a minor supporting role alongside fellow Police Officer character Tony Viveiros. The 2016 film featured a largely new cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, with Boss among a number of recognizable performers appearing in smaller parts.
Personal life
Boss met fellow dancer Allison Holker when she appeared as an All-Star on So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 in 2010.1 They married on December 10, 2013, at Nigel Lythgoe's Villa San Juliette Vineyard in Paso Robles, California.1 Holker had a daughter, Weslie Fowler, from a previous relationship.1 Together, Stephen and Allison had a son, Maddox Laurel, born in March 2016, and a daughter, Zaia, born in November 2019.1
Death
Stephen Boss died on December 13, 2022, in Encino, California, at the age of 40.12 The Los Angeles County coroner ruled his death a suicide by gunshot wound.32 His death prompted widespread tributes from colleagues, cast members, and fans across the entertainment industry.
References
Some content on this page was researched using the Ghostbusters Wiki on Fandom.
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"Stephen 'tWitch' Boss," Wikipedia, accessed 2026-06-13, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_%22tWitch%22_Boss.
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NPR, "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, 'Ellen' show DJ and SYTYCD dancer, dies at 40" (December 14, 2022), https://www.npr.org/2022/12/14/1142813117/stephen-twitch-boss-ellen-shows-dancing-dj-dies.
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The Hollywood Reporter, "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Dead: Ellen DeGeneres Show, SYTYCD Star Was 40" (December 13, 2022), https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stephen-twitch-boss-dead-ellen-degeneres-show-sytycd-dancer-1235281876/.
