Prad Nungel
Stephen “tWitch” Boss was a longtime friend and coworker of Ellen DeGeneres, and his passing has devastated her.
“I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him,” the 64-year-old Ellen DeGeneres posted a caption with a picture of the couple hugging on Instagram on Wednesday.
She continued, “Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
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In 2014, Boss started appearing as a guest DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and in 2020, he was given the opportunity to become a co-executive producer of the daytime talk show.
Last Show Together
DeGeneres and Boss sat together to discuss their experience on “Ellen” before the show ended earlier this year after a run of 19 seasons.
“I’m feeling all of the things, but what I’m feeling most of all is grateful and thankful that, I mean, you can see this atmosphere that is here that has showed up because you also had the courage to step up and be your authentic self,” the “So You Think You Can Dance” alum revealed to the presenter in September during their “last talk.”
He added, “I’m just so grateful that I got to be a part of this and be a part of this family.”
Boss received a special homage from DeGeneres in May, which included a video message and clips from some of his best on-air performances.
“Over a decade ago, I met someone who changed my life and our show,” Before telling her DJ at the time, the former “Ellen” star revealed, “I love you so much, and it’s been an emotional week. … You always make me smile and laugh. And anyway, we put a little something together to show you just how much we all love you here.”
DeGeneres said that she and Boss “bonded by learning to dance together” in the video montage.
“Whenever he’s not here, for whatever reason, it’s just different,” she remarked. “I count on him to look over at and make silly jokes, and he’s my pal, you know, he’s my sidekick because we have this connection, so just looking over and he makes me laugh. He really, really makes me laugh.”
Ellen concluded saying, “I love you, tWitch, and we tell each other that every day when we say goodbye after the show. We both say, ‘Love you.’”
Ellen and Twitch had a strong bond
In 2020, DeGeneres faced criticism for supposedly establishing a terrible workplace, and Boss defended her.
The dancer told Us Weekly that August, “We can’t speak too much legally about it, but I’ll say this: There’s been love.”
“Obviously, there’s some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly. There’s been love, and there will continue to be love.”
At the age of 40, Boss committed suicide on Tuesday.
Police found him dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, according to sources in law enforcement, according to TMZ. He appeared to have shot himself in the head and then died.
Weslie Holker, 14, Maddox Holker, 6, and Zaia Holker, 3, are his surviving spouse and children.
After her husband’s passing, the “Dancing With the Stars” alum, 34, released the following statement: “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.”
She added, “To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory.”
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Holker, Boss’s Wife concluded by saying, “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you or someone you know needs assistance with any of the situations mentioned in this account.
