Cameron Boyce dead aged 20 - Disney actor who starred in Descendants and TV show Jessie dies in his sleep

DISNEY star Cameron Boyce has died aged 20.

The actor, who starred in kids' comedy series Jessie and the film Grown Ups, died in his sleep last night.

The actor passed away after suffering a seizure as a result of an ongoing but undisclosed medical problem, his family confirmed.

A family spokesman said: "It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we report that this morning we lost Cameron.

"He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which 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.

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.
Boyce Family Spokesman

"We are utterly heartbroken and ask for privacy during this immensely difficult time as we grieve the loss of our precious son and brother."

After making his film debut as a nine-year-old in horror film Mirrors, shortly followed by Shia LaBeouf thriller Eagle Eye, Boyce shot to fame in the Disney Channel kids TV show, Jessie.

DISNEY TV STAR

He played Luke Ross in the comedy, based around a nanny who looks after a family in New York, which ran for four seasons and 98 episodes.

Boyce, from Los Angeles, also starred in an animated versions of Marvel's Spider-Man before starring as Carlos De Vil in the Disney movie franchise the Descendants

TV movie series focused on the teenage children of Disney baddies Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil.

However, arguably one of his best-known roles was in the comedy film Grown Ups where he played Keithie Feder, son of Adam Sandler's character Leonard Feder.

Hollywood star Sandler today paid tribute to the young boy, saying: "Too young. Too sweet. Too funny. Just the nicest, most talented, and most decent kid around. 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. Thinking of your amazing family and sending our deepest condolences."

He also reprised his role for the sequel, Grown Ups 2.
↚

A Disney Channel spokesman described Boyce as an “incredibly talented performer”.

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.
Disney Spokesman

They said: “From a young age, Cameron Boyce dreamed of sharing his extraordinary artistic talents with the world.

“As a young man, he was fuelled by a strong 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.

"We offer our deepest condolences to his family, cast mates and colleagues and join his many millions of fans in grieving his untimely passing. He will be dearly missed."

Boyce was born in May 1999 and grew up with his parents Victor and Libby Boyce and sister Maya, who is also an actor.

Of mixed race, he spoke of his Jewish roots through his mother's side and also made a short film for black history month in 2016 addressing his grandmother's role in the famed 'Clinton 12'.

Jo Ann Boyce was one of 12 black pupils who entered Clinton High School in Tennessee after a US Supreme Court ruling banning segregation on racial grounds in 1954.

The violent protests that followed led to the National Guard being called in to keep the peace and was a turning point in the battle for equality in Southern US states.

BIG BREAK AGED EIGHT

In 2017, he told Teen Vogue: "There's a lot of people in Hollywood who don't look like me or don't have similar features like me.

"When it's a lead [role], it's very hard to come by. We sort of are working to change that. That is something that is important to everyone of colour, a minority. It's very important for people not only see in Hollywood and feel represented but also sort of even the playing field a bit."

He got his first break in the music video for US rock band Panic! At The Disco's single That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed) in 2008, aged eight.

His TV career began in earnest later that year with his recurring role in General Hospital: Night Shift.

Film work then followed in the same year, all while he was aged just nine years old.

Child star Boyce, who had reported $5million fortune, shared a black and white snap to his 8.5million Instagram followers just a day before he died.

Fans have now flocked to social media to share tributes to the young actor.

One wrote: "Fly high beautiful angel, we love you always."

↚

Another said: "I can’t even comprehend this properly, it’s so shocking"

One fan posted: "Rip Cameron Boyce , you always made me laugh when i would come home from school & turn the TV on :("

Fellow Jessie star Skai Jackson, who played Zuri Ross in the show, has also paid her respects.

She wrote on Instagram: "I love you. Forever in my heart."