Cameron Mica Boyce (May 28, 1999 – July 6, 2019) was an American actor, dancer, and philanthropist who rose to fame as a child star, particularly through his work with Disney Channel. Born in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish mother, Libby, and an Afro-Caribbean and African-American father, Victor, Boyce was proud of his mixed heritage, once humorously noting, “I’m bl-ewish, I’m Black and I’m Jewish. So you know, me and Drake, we got that in common.” His paternal grandmother, Jo Ann (Allen) Boyce, was one of the “Clinton Twelve,” the first African-American students to attend an integrated high school in the U.S. South in 1956, following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
Boyce began his career at age eight, appearing in the 2008 Panic! at the Disco music video for “That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)” as a young Ryan Ross. That same year, he made his television debut with a recurring role as Michael “Stone” Cates Jr. on General Hospital: Night Shift and his film debut in the horror movie Mirrors, starring alongside Kiefer Sutherland. He also appeared in the action thriller Eagle Eye as Sam Holloman. In 2010, Boyce gained wider recognition playing Keith Feder, the son of Adam Sandler’s character, in the comedy Grown Ups, a role he reprised in Grown Ups 2 (2013). He later reflected that working with comedy legends like Sandler, Chris Rock, and David Spade taught him the importance of listening as an actor.
His breakout role came in 2011 as Luke Ross on Disney Channel’s Jessie (2011–2015), where he played a mischievous but lovable sibling in a family cared for by nanny Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan). The role, originally written as a Korean adoptee named Hiro, was rewritten for Boyce after his impressive audition. He appeared in all 98 episodes, earning Young Artist Award nominations and contributing to the show’s soundtrack. Boyce’s Disney tenure continued with prominent roles as Carlos, the son of Cruella de Vil, in the Descendants franchise (2015–2019), including Descendants: Wicked World shorts and Descendants 2 and 3 (the latter released posthumously). He also starred as Conor in Disney XD’s Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything (2015–2017) and voiced Jake in Jake and the Never Land Pirates (2012–2014).
A trained dancer from age six, Boyce excelled in breakdancing, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and tap, with breakdancing being his favorite. Known as “Truth” in the breakdancing crew X-Mob, he performed in music videos like Ice Cube’s “Ya’ll Know How I Am” and Hozier’s “Almost (Sweet Music)” (2019), which he also choreographed. His dance skills were showcased in projects like The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (2010–2011) and a 2011 Dancing with the Stars royal wedding tribute.
Beyond acting, Boyce was deeply committed to philanthropy. He raised over $30,000 for the Thirst Project to build wells in Swaziland, earning the Pioneering Spirit Award in 2018 (renamed the Cameron Boyce Pioneering Spirit Award posthumously). He supported initiatives like United Way’s HomeWalk to end homelessness, It’s On Us to combat campus sexual assault, and the Lucstrong Foundation for sickle cell disease. His final project, Wielding Peace, launched with March for Our Lives co-founder Delaney Tarr, aimed to fight gun violence through a campaign promoting unity.
Tragically, Boyce died on July 6, 2019, at age 20, from a seizure caused by epilepsy, a condition he had been managing. Found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home, where he lived with Jessie co-star Karan Brar and Gamer’s Guide co-star Sophie Reynolds, his death prompted widespread grief. His family established The Cameron Boyce Foundation to continue his legacy, focusing on epilepsy research, youth empowerment, and causes he championed. Posthumously, Boyce appeared in Runt (2020), Paradise City (2021), and HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher (2019). The 2020 documentary Showbiz Kids, dedicated to him, featured his reflections on child stardom. Adam Sandler, a frequent collaborator, honored Boyce with tributes in Hubie Halloween (2020) and Happy Gilmore 2 (2025), the latter including a clip of Boyce from Jessie on a background laptop, a gesture widely praised by fans.
Boyce’s co-stars, including Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, and Peyton List, remembered him as a kind, talented, and grounded individual. His parents continue to share stories of his impact, noting his ability to connect with others, as seen in anecdotes like Jenna Ortega’s recounting of Boyce respectfully declining a kiss during an audition due to their age difference and friendship. Boyce’s legacy endures through his work, philanthropy, and the inspiration he provided to fans and peers.