Michael Mattes / Shutterstock.com

Adam Sandler explains that Cameron Boyce tribute in 'Happy Gilmore 2'

By Sophia Soto | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 7:00 PM ET

In a recent interview, Adam Sandler opened up about his decision to pay tribute to his late Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2 co-star, Cameron Boyce, in the highly anticipated sequel to Happy Gilmore.

"Love that kid. He was one of the sweetest persons I’ve ever met — just constantly in a good mood, constantly great energy, loving to everybody. He felt like a family member to us when we were shooting Grown Ups. Of course, we were going to shoot with Cameron on Hubie Halloween, and we were getting ready to have a great time together, and we lost him. We think of him all the time," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "This was just a moment where we were like, 'What should we throw on the TV?' We said, 'Might as well throw Cameron in there. He’s the man. Keep him part of our family.' And so that’s why we did it."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Cameron Boyce Foundation (@thecameronboycefoundation)

Boyce tragically passed away in 2019 from SUDEP, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, at the young age of 20. The Cameron Boyce Foundation was then established in his honor with the aim of curing epilepsy through funding research, education, and awareness campaigns, in addition to supporting other causes that were important to the actor.

Libby Boyce, Cameron's mother, shared on Instagram, "Adam and Cameron talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death. Cameron was supposed to be in Hubies Halloween and they were strategizing. They had a bond I think related to being authentic, funny and just keeping it real. Adam always finds a way to keep Cams memory alive which warms our heart."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Cameron Boyce Foundation (@thecameronboycefoundation)

Boyce was best known for his roles in Disney Channel's Jessie, which was used to honor him in Happy Gilmore 2, and the Descendants films.

You can watch Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix.

Sophia Soto

Sophia Soto is a writer and interviewer with a passion for all things entertainment. She is a Senior Reporter at The Nerds of Color and contributes to Yardbarker, Screensphere, Den of Geek, What to Watch, Nerdtropolis, and Temple of Geek. You can see her past work on Remezcla, Young Hollywood, Looper, Paste Magazine, Primetimer, Soundsphere, and Starry Constellation Magazine

More must-reads: