Cameron Boyce's Birthday Remembered: Cause of Death, Most Unforgettable Roles, and What Adam Sandler Said After His Passing

This 6 July marked what would have been the 26th birthday of actor Cameron Boyce, whose life was cut tragically short in 2019. As his fans and friends commemorated the bittersweet occasion, heartfelt tributes poured in on social media, especially from his Descendants co-stars who continue to honour his legacy six years after his untimely death.

Remembering A Life Gone Too Soon

Cameron Boyce died in his sleep on 6 July 2019, at just 20 years old. The cause was later revealed to be SUDEP—Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy—a term that, at the time, was unfamiliar even to his parents, Victor and Libby Boyce. They said that despite his epilepsy diagnosis, Cameron had experienced only a handful of seizures in his life, all of them during sleep.

In a candid interview on Taylor Lautner's The Squeeze podcast, his parents spoke about the misconceptions they had around his condition. 'We thought because the seizures only happened while he slept, that it was safer,' Libby explained. 'But that's actually one of the riskiest patterns linked to SUDEP.'

Motivated by a desire to prevent similar tragedies, the Boyce family established The Cameron Boyce Foundation, which now funds epilepsy research and advocates for better awareness of the condition among young people and their families.

A Career That Sparkled With Promise

The public first had a glimpse of Cameron when he was just nine years old, after he landed roles in feature films such as the horror thriller Mirrors (2008) and the family comedy Grown Ups (2010), where he played one of Adam Sandler's children. He returned for the sequel Grown Ups 2, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's brightest young talents.

He gained mainstream popularity on Disney Channel, first through his role as Luke Ross in the hit series Jessie, and later as Carlos, the son of Cruella de Vil, in the Descendants film trilogy. Descendants, which follows the lives of teenage children on the Isle of the Lost, would turn out to be a top-selling media franchise. It was instrumental in launching Cameron and his co-stars into global stardom.

Cameron was not just an actor. His other passions were dancing and a commitment to social causes. Among the projects he supported were March for Our Lives, Thirst Project, and It's On Us. He also launched Wielding Peace, an initiative which sought to end gun violence.

Adam Sandler's Tribute

Among those who continue to remember Cameron fondly is actor Adam Sandler, who shared the screen with him in both Grown Ups films. Following Cameron's passing, Sandler paid tribute on social media, describing him as 'the nicest, most talented, and most decent kid around.'

In 2020, Sandler dedicated his Netflix film Hubie Halloween to Cameron, including a message at the end that read: 'Gone way too soon... You live on forever in our hearts.'

Words From Friends and Co-Stars

On 6 July 2025, the cast of Descendants once again gathered virtually to remember their late friend. Actress Sofia Carson shared a throwback photo with Boyce, Booboo Stewart, and Dove Cameron, writing, 'Our Angel. Forever.' Stewart reposted the tribute, while Sarah Jeffery recalled a moment from 2014, writing, 'Life is good. Miss you Cam,' in a nostalgic Instagram post.

Through his on-screen performances, charitable activism, and the continuing work of The Cameron Boyce Foundation, Cameron's legacy lives on. His light continues to shine. That he was a young man who lived with purpose, love, and joy is something that's continued to be remembered and celebrated by his fans all over the world.