Actor Cameron Boyce, best known for his role as the teenage son of Cruella de Vil in the Disney Channel franchise “Descendants,” has died. He was 20 years old.
Boyce, who played Carlos De Vil in the “Descendants” movies, died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his spokesperson.
An official cause of death has not been announced, but his family released a statement Sunday saying Boyce “passed away in his sleep due to a seizure that 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. We are utterly heartbroken,” the family statement said.
According to his bio on the Disney Channel, Boyce was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was a dancer who got his acting start in commercials, then television and film. Boyce starred alongside Adam Sandler in “Grown Ups” and “Grown Ups 2,” and other film credits include “Mirrors,” ”Eagle Eye” and the indie feature “Runt.” He also starred in the upcoming HBO series “Mrs. Fletcher.”
“Descendants 3” is scheduled for release in August.
His spokesperson said Sunday Boyce was also a philanthropist who used his celebrity to advocate for those without a voice, including the homeless. Last year, he was honored for his work with the Thirst Project, bringing awareness to the global water crisis and raising more than $30,000 for the organization to build two wells in Swaziland in efforts to bring clean drinking water to the region.
In 2017, he received a Daytime Emmy Award with Disney XD for his participation in the series “Timeless Heroes_Be Inspired,” in honor of Black History Month. He appeared alongside his grandmother Jo Ann Boyce, one of 12 black teens known as the Clinton 12 who were the first to integrate into public school in Clinton, Tennessee, according to his Disney Channel biography.
A Disney Channel spokesperson released a statement Sunday saying that from a young age, Boyce dreamed of sharing his artistic talents with the world and was fueled by a desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives through his humanitarian work.
“He was an incredibly talented performer, a remarkably caring and thoughtful person and, above all else, he was a loving and dedicated son, brother, grandson and friend,” the statement said. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family, castmates, and colleagues and join his many millions of fans in grieving his untimely passing. He will be dearly missed.”
Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Iger tweeted Sunday: “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.”
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
Celebrities and Fans Respond
Fans and celebrities alike have expressed disbelief following his death.
Sandler tweeted: “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.”
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) July 7, 2019
Actor Mason Cook called the news “hard to digest.”
“He was a great guy,” Cook said on Twitter. “Genuinely nice and definitely gone too soon.”
The news of Cameron’s passing is hard to digest. He was a great guy. Genuinely nice and definitely gone too soon. RIP Cameron Boyce ????????
— Mason Cook (@masoncook) July 7, 2019
Choreographer Kenny Ortega, who directed the movie “Descendants,” wrote a touching tribute on Instagram.
“Cameron brought love, laughter and compassion with him everyday I was in his presence,” Ortega wrote. “His talent, immeasurable. His kindness and generosity, overflowing. It has been an indescribable honor and pleasure to know and work with him. I will see you again in all things loving and beautiful my friend. I will search the stars for your light. Rest In Peace Cam.”
Beauty vlogger James Charles said Boyce was one of the kindest people he’d ever met. “He was so young, incredibly talented,” Charles said.
rest in peace to cameron boyce ???? he was so young, incredibly talented, but also one of the kindest ppl I’ve ever met. sending love to his friends & family ????
— James Charles (@jamescharles) July 7, 2019
By Amy Forliti
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
