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Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce dies suddenly at 20

Cameron Boyce in a selfie posted to Instagram from Vancouver on June 9.

Cameron Boyce in a selfie posted to Instagram from Vancouver on June 9. Photo: Instagram

Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce died of natural causes, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office revealed on Thursday.

Boyce was found unresponsive at his North Hollywood home on July 6.

“Preliminary information suggests the death occurred under natural circumstances,” the coroner’s office said in a news release.

“The final cause and manner of death will be determined at a later date.”

Victor Boyce, the late star’s father, described his son’s sudden death as a “nightmare I can’t wake up from.”

Mr Boyce took to Instagram on Wednesday to share one of the last photos taken of his son,”just hours before he was snatched from our lives.”

Captioned the grieving father, “My son … I miss him terribly. I hope that no one ever has to feel the agony I’m feeling but no one is immune to tragedy.”

Stars including Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek and Zendaya also paid tribute to Boyce after his sudden death at age 20.

“Cared so much about his family. Cared so much about the world. Thank you Cameron, for all you gave us. So much more was on the way,” tweeted Sandler.

Cameron Boyce April 25

Boyce at a Los Angeles housing charity event on April 25. Photo: Getty

Best known for his roles as Luke Ross in Jessie and Carlos de Vil in  The Descendants, Boyce “passed away in his sleep,” a rep for his family said in a statement on Sunday (US time.)

The death was linked “to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition” for which Boyce 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 statement continued.

“We are utterly heartbroken.”

The day before his death, Boyce posted a black and white photo to his 12.7 million Instagram followers. It drew over 7 million likes.

View this post on Instagram

@i_d

A post shared by Cameron Boyce (@thecameronboyce) on

In his final interview two months ago, Boyce told Haute Living about his passions: family and charity work.

“There’s a long line of difference makers in my family. I’m following in the footsteps of some really strong men and women who have showed me what it means to give back,” Boyce said.

“It’s the greatest way to fulfil yourself … there aren’t many feelings more euphoric. Changing someone else’s life positively changes yours for the better as well.”

Cameron Boyce March 26

Boyce speaking at the 2019 Biden Courage Awards in New York on March 26. Photo: Getty

The Los Angeles native was nine when he appeared in 2008 thriller Mirrors before playing one of Adam Sandler’s children in 2010 movie Grown Ups and its follow up.

“Too young. Too sweet. Too funny. Just the nicest, most talented and most decent kid around,” Sandler tweeted.

“All our hearts are broken.”

Salma Hayek, who played Boyce’s mother in both Grown Ups movies, shared her memories of the co-star she had stayed in touch with over the years.

“He was spirited, talented, kind, generous and funny and a shining light,” Hayek said.

“Cameron Boyce. Over the past decade I’ve met many actors, but you always stood out,” Gregg Sulkin posted.

“Yes you were talented. But most importantly, you were kind. You were humble. You had a special spark.”

Jessie co-stars Skai Jackson and Charles Esten, who played Boyce’s dad on the show, paid tribute on Instagram.

A “distraught” Jackson wrote, “I wish I would have hugged you tighter when I saw you a couple of months ago.”

“Peter Pan, The forever boy! Love you Cam,” wrote Descendants director Kenny Ortega.

Walt Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger wrote  Boyce was “filled with so much talent, heart and life, and far too young to die.

“Our prayers go out to his family and his friends.”

Descendants actress Keegan Connor Tracy posted she found it “unfathomable” that “such a brilliant light” as Boyce’s could be gone.

“You shone more brightly in a few years than most do in a lifetime.”

View this post on Instagram

Darling, sweet Cameron. I find this news unfathomable, that a brilliant light such as yours could be gone. I think immediately of your beautiful smile, your infectious energy and your absolutely boundless talent. You, the baby of the crew, so young they were forever pumpkining you out for ‘fake Carlos’. To have watched you spin your way through these years with kindness and humility and just begin to come into your own…it is cruel and ugly to see that taken away. I send an ocean of love to your family with whom you were so close and who must be drowning in heartache. As a mother I simply cannot comprehend. It is small comfort that at least you shone more brightly in your few years than most do in a lifetime. Dance through the stars, keep shining. I just still cannot believe. 🖤

A post shared by Keegan Connor Tracy (@keegolicious) on

At April’s Annual Thirst Gala, Boyce was honoured with the Pioneering Spirit Award after raising more than $30,000 for the global water crisis non-profit to help build two wells in Swaziland.

“Many people have the heart to give back, but a lot don’t know how to,” Boyce said.

“I try to be the bridge for those people.”

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