Disney star Cameron Boyce died in his sleep Saturday after a seizure, according to ABC News. He was 20.
“It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we report that this morning we lost Cameron,” a family spokesperson said. “He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated. The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him.”
The spokesperson continued: “We are utterly heartbroken and ask for privacy during this immensely difficult time as we grieve the loss of our precious son and brother.”
Tragic death rocks Disney community
The Los Angeles native was known for starring roles in the Disney Channel film franchise Descendants and Disney TV series Jessie. The actor’s sudden death brought forth tributes from Disney, celebrities, and actors who had worked with him.
Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Robert Iger tweeted:
The Walt Disney Company mourns the loss of #CameronBoyce, who was a friend to so many of us, and filled with so much talent, heart and life, and far too young to die. Our prayers go out to his family and his friends.
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) July 7, 2019
Adam Sandler, whose movie Grown Ups was one of Boyce’s first films, also shared an emotional tribute.
“Too young. Too sweet. Too funny. Just the nicest, most talented, and most decent kid around,” Sandler wrote Sunday. “Loved that kid. Cared so much about his family. Cared so much about the world. Thank you, Cameron, for all you gave to us. So much more was on the way. All our hearts are broken. Thinking of your amazing family and sending our deepest condolences.”
Boyce appeared in Grown Ups two years after making his feature film debut in the 2008 movie Mirrors at age 9. The young actor also appeared alongside Shia Lebouf in the thriller Eagle Eye that year. But his breakout role was as Luke Ross in Disney Channel’s Jessie, which ran for four seasons, Deadline reports.
The actor may best be known for playing Carlos in the Disney film series Descendants. Boyce had just finished working on Descendants 3 at the time of his shocking death. He had new projects in the works as well, including a co-starring role in the HBO comedy Mrs. Fletcher.
The casts of Jessie and Descendants offered up emotional tributes to their departed castmate.
“To the boy whose contagious laugh I can still hear. The boy who left everyone feeling hopeful and full of love,” Jessie co-star Peyton List, 21, wrote in an Instagram post. “He was younger than me but taught me how to spread love and kindness more than anyone that has ever been in my life.”
Leaving a legacy
Boyce was also known for his charity work. The actor, who raised over $30,000 to build water walls in Swaziland, discussed giving back with Haute Living in May in his final interview before his death.
“Many people have the heart to give back, but a lot don’t know how to. I try to be the bridge for those people — whether that means getting them involved in one of my campaigns or inspiring them by showing them a blueprint of how to get others engaged,” he said, according to Fox News. “Every time I talk to someone who shares that similar passion, we talk about how there aren’t many feelings more euphoric. Changing someone else’s life positively changes yours for the better as well.”
The young actor introduced Joe Biden in March at the Biden Courage Awards, hosted by the Biden Foundation and It’s On Us, a Biden-founded organization to stop sexual assault. The former vice president tweeted a tribute to the departed actor.
I had the opportunity to meet Cameron Boyce at this year’s Courage Awards and through his work with @ItsOnUs. He was filled with so much light and served as a tremendous role model for young people. He’s gone far too soon. @DrBiden and I are sending our prayers to his family. pic.twitter.com/4bpbqwqnrO
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 7, 2019
Authorities confirmed that Boyce was living with epilepsy before his untimely death. An autopsy is underway, and it will reportedly take several weeks to declare an official cause of death.
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