Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss was an American freestyle hip hop dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and television personality. This past December he died at the age of 40. 

On Dec. 13, 2022, Boss’s wife, Allison Holker, informed officials at the Los Angeles Police Department that he had left their home without taking his car, which was unusual behavior. Police received a call about a shooting at the Oak Tree Inn in Encino, Los Angeles, where Boss was found dead after failing to check out of the motel. His death was ruled a suicide.

Boss was born on Sept. 29, 1982, to Connie Boss Alexander and Sandford Rose in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Lee High School in 2000 and studied dance performance at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University. 

In 2008, he finished in second place on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). 

Xavier Rauls ’24  stated, “His success early in his career really created a platform for later in his life.I didn’t get to see him dance in person but I watched videos of him dancing. And I loved his dance moves and I want to dance like him to this day.”

In 2003, Boss was a semifinalist on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project and a runner-up on the television talent competition Star Search. He choreographed routines for South Korean pop/R&B singer Seven and helped train other YG Entertainment artists including Big Bang. 

From 2014 to May 2022, he was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a repeated guest host and he was also a co-executive producer of the program. He was also featured in Ellen’s Game of Games as a sidekick to DeGeneres. 

Brendan Birmingham ’23 said, “I loved everything about him and everything he did. When I was young he was just starting his career. When his career started I watched all of his videos and he had a good sense of humor to him”.

In 2007, he was an uncredited “flamboyant dancer” in Blades of Glory and a Maybelle’s Store Dancer in Hairspray. 

On Dec. 13, 2022, Boss’s wife, Allison Holker, informed officials at the Los Angeles Police Department that he had left their home without taking his car, which was unusual behavior. Police received a call about a shooting at the Oak Tree Inn in Encino, Los Angeles, where Boss was found dead after failing to check out of the motel. His death was ruled a suicide.

Mason Lui ’23 talked about how his death impacted him, explaining,, “When he died it kinda hit me. A person I watched during my childhood really died. And he had a real impact in my life. I watched all the shows he was in and he was always so funny and had a great sense of humor.”

Many prominent figures paid tribute to Boss upon news of his death, including Ellen DeGeneres, Viola Davis, Questlove, MC Hammer, Michelle Obama, Justin Timberlake, and Channing Tatum. His funeral was held on Jan. 4, in Los Angeles, and he was laid to rest after the service. 

This past summer, the Suicide Prevention Hotline was updated to include a three digit number for those in need to text for help: 988.