Cameron Mica Boyce (May 28, 1999 – July 6, 2019) was an American actor best known for his roles in the feature films Mirrors, Eagle Eye, Grown Ups, and Grown Ups 2, as well as for his starring roles as Luke Ross on the Disney Channel comedy series Jessie and as Carlos De Vil in the Descendants film franchise.
Height: 5‘ 7" (1.7 m)
Relationship Status: Single
Net Worth: Estimated $5 million
Social Media:
Early Life and Family
Cameron Boyce was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up with his parents, Victor and Libby Boyce, as well as his younger sister Maya. From a young age, Cameron was drawn to performing and he began taking dance classes at 5 years old. By age 9, he was already well on his way to a professional acting career, appearing in commercials for companies like Kraft and Nestle.
Boyce was educated through homeschooling which allowed him to focus on his blossoming career. He was very close with his family, often bringing his mother with him to film sets as his on-site tutor. His parents were very supportive of his acting ambitions.
Rise to Stardom on Disney Channel
In 2008, at just 9 years old, Boyce landed his first big role as Adam Sandler‘s character‘s son in the feature film Grown Ups. This kicked off a string of other movie roles including Mirrors, Eagle Eye, and Grown Ups 2.
However, it was his role on the hit Disney Channel show Jessie that made Boyce a household name. As Luke Ross, the mischievous but charming son in a family of adoptees, Boyce immediately became a fan favorite. He starred on the show for its entire 4 season run from 2011-2015.
Boyce‘s stardom rose even higher when he was cast as Carlos de Vil, the son of Cruella de Vil, in the 2015 Disney Channel movie Descendants. His musical number "Rotten to the Core" showcased his singing and dancing talents. The enormous success of the movie led to two sequels and cemented Boyce‘s status as a teen heartthrob.
Activism and Charity Work
Using his powerful platform as a Disney celebrity, Boyce actively supported many charitable causes he was passionate about. In 2016, he launched a social media fundraising campaign with the Thirst Project to raise money to build wells for clean drinking water in Swaziland – it ultimately raised over $30,000.
Boyce was also an advocate for ending homelessness. In 2017, he hosted the Homewalk in LA to raise funds and awareness about America‘s homeless youth. Boyce often volunteered at the Los Angeles Food Bank sorting food and interacting with people.
Speaking about his philanthropic work, Boyce said "There are so many issues in the world that need attention. I try to just do my part." His sincere activism and commitment to giving back made him an inspiration.
Other Pursuits: Dancing, Acting, Singing
In addition to acting, Boyce was an accomplished dancer who had studied hip-hop, breakdancing, and other styles since childhood. He appeared on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up and was a member of the dancing groups X Mob and ImmaBEAST.
Boyce also pursued singing, releasing his first single "Mirrors" in 2016 and his debut album "Day and Night" in 2017 through Republic Records. The album featured songs he recorded in both daytime and nighttime recording sessions, reflecting contrasting atmospheres.
Even with all his success achieved at such a young age, Boyce remained humble and continued perfecting his craft in acting classes. His wide range of talents and dedication to improving made him an extraordinary performer.
Death and Legacy
On July 6, 2019, fans around the world were shocked when Boyce suddenly passed away in his sleep at just 20 years old after suffering a seizure caused by epilepsy. His family, friends, and co-stars were utterly heartbroken over the devastating loss. His body was cremated and his ashes buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Boyce touched countless lives during his career through his acting, dancing, philanthropy and more. The Cameron Boyce Foundation was created to carry on his legacy of giving back. Its mission statement reads "We all have a purpose. No matter your age, size, race, gender, background – we all have value."
Though his life was cut terribly short, Cameron Boyce remains an inspiration. Through his art and activism, he spread light and encouraged us all to work towards creating a kinder world. His brilliant star continues to shine brightly.