Ellen DeGeneres 'heartbroken' over tWitch's sudden death
'So You Think You Can Dance' star Stephen 'tWitch' Boss died on Dec. 13
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to her longtime DJ and friend tWitch following his sudden death.
"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. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children - Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia."
Stephen "tWitch" Boss served as the DJ on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" beginning in 2014. He became an executive producer in 2020 before the show came to an end in 2022.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 40-year-old's death was confirmed by his wife Allison Holker Boss, and a source tells Fox News Digital he died by suicide. tWitch died on Dec. 13 at a "hotel/motel," according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office.
Ellen DeGeneres honored her friend and "Ellen Show" DJ tWitch following his sudden death. (Getty Images)
ELLEN DEGENERES' FAMED DJ TWITCH DEAD AT 40
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," Allison said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "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."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt," she continued. "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."
DeGeneres first met tWitch in 2011 after she reached out to "So You Think You Can Dance" in order to learn a dance. They paired her up with the professional at the time. She later had him guest DJ for the show in 2013.
Shortly after, tWitch landed the position of in-house DJ for season 12 of the talk show. In 2020, the actor became an executive producer for the show and backed DeGeneres after she was hit with allegations of a toxic workplace.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, the show came to a close after the 19th season. The final episode of "The Ellen Show" aired on May 26.
Stephen "tWitch" Boss met Ellen DeGeneres in 2011. He became the DJ of "The Ellen Degeneres Show" in 2014. (Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
tWitch became an executive producer on "The Ellen Show" in 2020. (Mike Rozman/Warner Brothers//NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
DeGeneres paid tribute to tWitch during one of the final episodes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Over a decade ago, I met someone who changed my life – and our show," DeGeneres began. "I love you so much and it’s been an emotional week."
"You always make me smile and laugh and anyway, we put together a little something together just to say how much we all love you here," she continued.
She played a video featuring clips of tWitch from the show over the years.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DeGeneres concluded by saying how much she loved the dancer.
"Whenever he’s not here – for whatever reason – it’s just different. I mean, I count on him to look over at and make silly jokes," the former talk show host said. "I love you, tWitch. We tell each other that every day when we say goodbye after the show. We both say, ‘Love you.’ He says, ‘Love you much,’ and I say, ‘Love you.’ So, he’s never gonna be out of my life. He’s always gonna be a part of my life."
tWitch began his career in 2008 after landing the runner-up spot on "So You Think You Can Dance." Following his big break, tWitch appeared in several films, including the "Step Up" movie franchise and "Magic Mike XXL."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stephen "tWitch" Boss turned 40 on Sept. 29. (Jason Mendez/WireImage)
tWitch first gained fame on the competition show "So You Think You Can Dance." (Getty Images)