RIP: Stephen “tWitch” Boss

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Stephen “tWitch” Boss died yesterday the result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was 40.

Stephen Boss was a dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and dj.  Mr. Boss got the nickname “tWitch” when he was a child and couldn’t sit still.  After graduating high school, “tWitch” studied Dance Performance at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University.

2003 was the year that Stephen Boss began to be noticed.  He was a semifinalist on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project and runner-up on Star Search.  Mr. Boss began to choreograph dance routines for other artists.

“tWitch” was on So You Think You Can Dance in 2007, but was cut before reaching the Top 20.  He returned in 2008 and was the runner up.  A dance choreographed by Mia Michaels that “tWitch” performed with Katee Shean that season was nominated for an Primetime Emmy Award for Choreography.  “tWitch” and Katee Shean were brought back the following season to perform the Emmy nominated dance again.  So You Think You Can Dance invited “tWitch” back in seasons 7 – 9 as an All Star dancer.  In Season 12 he was named as the “Captain” of “Team Street”.  In Season 22, Mr. Boss was named as a permanent judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

Stephen Boss’ dancing ability and charismatic personality brought him to the attention of Hollywood.  His first role was in Blades of Glory.  Mr. Boss would go on to have a career as an actor in both television and feature films.

Some of Mr. Boss’ feature film appearances include: Blades of Glory; Hairspray (2007); Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming; Step Up 3D; Dead in 5 Heartbeats; Step Up All In; Magic Mike XXL and Ghostbusters (2016);

Some of Mr. Boss’ television appearances include: Bones; Touch; Drop Dead Diva (2 episodes); Famous in Love (2 episodes); Modern Family and The Ellen DeGeneres Show (101 episodes; in 2020, Ellen DeGeneres named Twitch a Co-Executive Producer).

I first became aware of Stephen “tWitch” Boss from his appearances on So You Think You Can Dance.  He was the total package: charismatic, talented, humble and always upbeat.  I enjoyed seeing his success as he repeatedly returned to So You Think You Can Dance.  It was even nicer to see “tWitch” getting roles in movies and television.  He was the type of celebrity that I felt would be easy to sit and talk with.  It’s heartbreaking to think that he’s gone.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ family, friends and fans.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.