Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Dead At 40

LOS ANGELES, CA — Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the DJ on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" has died, TMZ reported Wednesday. He was 40.

Boss died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, TMZ is reporting. The Los Angeles Police Department received a phone call from a Los Angeles hotel regarding a shooting Tuesday, and discovered Boss in a room, according to TMZ.

Allison Holker, the wife of Boss, told police her husband left their home without his car. Shortly thereafter, police received a call from a hotel where Boss was found by police.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," Holker, 34, said in a statement to People. "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."

Boss joined the Ellen Degeneres talk show in 2014 and was on the show until it ended in 2022. He became an executive producer in 2020.

"I’m heartbroken," Degeneres tweeted Wednesday. "tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children — Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia."

Boss was the runner-up on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2008 and appeared in the movies "Step Up" and "Magic Mike XXL."

He hosted a number of TV reality shows, including "Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings" with his wife on Disney+.

He and Holker married in 2013, have three children and celebrated their ninth anniversary on Saturday. They became a couple in 2010 after appearing on an all-star season of "So You Think You Can Dance," according to CNN. The pair frequently posted upbeat dance videos together on social media, including one Monday of them dancing in front of a Christmas tree.

"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt," Holker said in a statement. "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."

Boss was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and had the nickname "tWitch" since childhood, given to him because he had a hard time sitting still, according to CNN. He was a 2000 graduate of Lee High School and studied dance performance at Southern Union State Community College and Chapman University, CNN reported.

Celebrities and public figures including Kerry Washington, Alyssa Milano and Bernice King took to Twitter on Wednesday to express their grief and share condolences.

"The world lost a bright light today," Washington tweeted. "Twitch brought joy and love to people all over the world through music and through dance. My heart is heavy today for his family and all of those who knew and loved him."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources to help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988. Its website offers services including a live chat.

City News Service contributed.