Cameron Boyce (May 28, 1999 – July 6, 2019) was an American actor and dancer, who appeared in a number of films and television shows through his career. After making his first appearance on television for a Panic! at the Disco music video, he then received much fame and attention after starring in horror film Mirrors in 2008, and then went on to star as Luke Ross in Disney Channel show Jessie, gaining him much more fame and credibility throughout and after the show's run.[4] He had also starred in feature films Eagle Eye, Grown Ups, and Grown Ups 2, and was also known for playing other starring roles, such as Carlos in the Descendants television films, and as Conor on the Disney XD series Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything.[5] Boyce had also done voice acting for various works, such as Jake in Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Herman Schultz in Spider-Man and others.[6]
Boyce died on July 6, 2019 at the age of 20 due to a seizure he had in his sleep possibly caused by epilepsy, a condition Boyce was undergoing treatment for.
Early life[]
Boyce was born on May 28, 1999, in Los Angeles, California.[1][9] His father is black, of Afro-Caribbean and African-American descent. His mother is Jewish.[10][11] His paternal grandmother, Jo Ann (Allen) Boyce, was one of the Clinton Twelve, the first African-Americans to attend an integrated high school in the south, in 1956, as ordered by Brown v. Board of Education.[12]
Career[]
In May 2008, Boyce made his television debut in the Panic! at the Disco music video, "That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)", appearing as a younger version of the guitarist Ryan Ross. Then, in July, he appeared in a recurring role, Michael "Stone" Cates Jr., on the nighttime soap opera General Hospital: Night Shift.[13] In August of that year, he made his feature film debut with a co-starring role in the horror film Mirrors, as well as appearing in the mystery-thriller film Eagle Eye that fall.[14][15]
In June 2010, Boyce co-starred as Keith Feder, the spoiled son of Adam Sandler's character, in the comedy film Grown Ups, and appeared later that same year showing off his dance skills on the web series The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.[5]
In April 2011, Boyce made a guest appearance on the Disney Channel series Good Luck Charlie and later that month he was one of the featured dancers in a Royal Wedding tribute on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.[16] In June 2011, he had a small role as one of Judy's classmates in the family comedy film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer and in August, he was one of the featured dancers on the Disney Channel series Shake It Up.[16][17]
In September 2011, Boyce was cast in a co-starring role on the Disney Channel comedy series Jessie in the role of Luke Ross.[18] During pre-production of the show, the role of Luke was originally intended to be a boy named Hiro adopted from Korea, but casting directors were impressed with Boyce during the audition process, and ultimately decided to recreate the role specifically for him.[4][19]
In 2015, Boyce was a member of the main cast of Disney's Descendants, playing Carlos, the son of Cruella de Vil. He later reprised the character for the animated shorts Descendants: Wicked World and in the 2017 sequel Descendants 2. In March 2018, Boyce was cast in the ABC comedy television pilot Steps, in the role of Becker.[20] In January 2019, Boyce joined the cast of HBO's Mrs. Fletcher.[21]
Personal life[]
Boyce lived in the Los Angeles area with his parents, Victor and Libby Boyce, and his younger sister.[22] His favorite style of dance was break.[16] Along with four of his friends, he was a member of the breakdancing crew "X Mob".[16]
Philanthropy[]
In a span of 40 days in 2017, Boyce helped raise over $27,000 for the Thirst Project, which helps bring clean water to underdeveloped countries.[23]
Death[]
According to a statement by Boyce's family, on July 6, 2019, Boyce died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles "due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated".[1][24] The cause of death is still "pending further investigation", but the ongoing condition was thought to be epilepsy.[7][better source needed][25][26]
Tributes[]
