Cameron Boyce’s unexpected death at the age of 20 shocked the entertainment industry.

Six years after his sad death in July 2019, fans are still grieving, which is why Adam Sandler’s homage to the young star in Happy Gilmore 2 was so moving.

The comedian, 58, paid heartfelt tribute to the California-born actor in the sequel to his smash 1996 comedy, which was released on Netflix on Friday (25 July).

Viewers were moved to tears after seeing the beautiful homage to Boyce, whom Sandler previously hailed as ‘the sweetest, most talented, and best child around,’ in the new film.

In an Instagram post following his on-screen son’s death, the Just Go With It actor wrote, “Too young. Too sweet. That’s too hilarious. Simply the sweetest, most talented, and most decent child around.

“I loved that child. He cared deeply for his family. I cared deeply about the planet. Cameron, thank you for what you’ve given us. So much more was on its way. All of our hearts are broken.

“Thinking of your amazing family and sending our deepest condolences.‬”

Boyce is most recognized for his portrayal as Sandler’s kid Keithie Feder in Grown Ups, as well as his appearances in Mirrors, Eagle Eye, and the Disney fantasy trilogy Descendants.

He has also appeared in the comedy show Jessie, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything.

Boyce appeared destined for even greater things, since he had been cast with Kathryn Hahn in the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher, which aired after his death.

His death shocked both his fans and his co-stars, since many were unaware that Boyce was quietly suffering from an ‘ongoing medical problem.’

Boyce’s family later revealed that he received an epilepsy diagnosis 13 months after his first seizure in 2017.

Boyce’s parents, Victor and Libby, claimed that they realized the situation was super duper terrible’ after physicians diagnosed his irreversible neurological illness.

According to People, his father revealed on The Squeeze podcast in 2023: “You’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy. We need a plan now. We need to discover medicines, knowledge, and therapy.

“And this is our whole frustration with the medical system—at this point, we’re still not getting a whole lot of information, tools…nothing substantial, nothing significant as far as how intrusive and invasive epilepsy is on your life.”

Libby revealed that her kid has experienced five seizures in his brief life, all of which occurred while he was asleep.

His parents first assumed this was a ‘good’ thing, but this was not the case.

“I thought because he had them in his sleep that he was safe,” Boyce’s mother said. “But actually having them in your sleep is more common[ly] associated with people dying.”

In memory of their son, the pair established The Cameron Boyce Foundation, which ‘aims to cure epilepsy via funding research, education, and awareness campaigns while also supporting causes that were important to Cameron.’

Boyce’s cause of death was classified as “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy,” or SUDEP, which Victor stated the family had never heard of.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, this phrase refers to the death of a person with epilepsy who was otherwise healthy, with no other cause of death discovered during an autopsy.

Unfortunately, there is no explanation for what causes it; nonetheless, the organization states that it ‘occurs more commonly at night or during sleep when death is not observed.’

It continues: “There may be evidence that a person had a seizure before dying, but this isn’t always the case.

“Current research into the possible causes of SUDEP focuses on problems with breathing, heart rhythm, and brain function that occur with a seizure.”

Libby sent a caution to other parents who have children with epilepsy: “Our big message is to take that diagnosis very seriously.” And while the medical establishment does not tell you it is serious, you should be aware that it is.

“You need to offer folks additional tools, which we didn’t receive. There is a difference between frightening out a parent and just offering them tools, and we did not receive those tools.

“The Cameron Boyce Foundation is truly all about raising awareness.

“Even though it’s difficult, and every day I wonder, ‘Why did this boy die?’ I know that people are safer because of him. And no, it doesn’t make things better. It does not cure me.

“But it does make me feel as though at least something good came of it.”

Cameron Boyce, rest in peace.