Adam Sandler Pays Tribute to Cameron Boyce in Happy Gilmore 2
Adam Sandler has once again shown that his bond with the late Cameron Boyce lives on — this time through a subtle but heartfelt tribute in his latest film, Happy Gilmore 2. While the beloved Disney Channel star tragically passed away in 2019 at the age of 20, Sandler found a quiet, powerful way to honor him on-screen.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter published July 29, Sandler revealed that the brief background moment — which features a clip from one of Cameron’s Disney Channel roles — wasn’t a big production decision, but rather a personal one.
“This was just a moment where we were like, ‘What should we throw on the TV?’” Sandler shared. “We said, ‘Might as well throw Cameron in there. He’s the man. Keep him part of our family.’”
A Friendship Beyond the Screen
Sandler and Boyce first worked together on Grown Ups and its sequel, where Cameron played Sandler’s son. The two developed a genuine off-screen friendship, one that Sandler has spoken about with deep emotion over the years.
“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,” Sandler said.
“He felt like a family member to us when we were shooting Grown Ups.”
Before his untimely passing, Cameron was even set to star in Sandler’s 2020 film Hubie Halloween. While the role never came to fruition, Sandler included a post-credits tribute in the final cut, calling Boyce “one of the kindest, coolest, funniest, and most talented kids we knew.”
“We were getting ready to have a great time together, and we lost him,” Sandler added. “We think of him all the time.”
A Family Forever
The tribute in Happy Gilmore 2 didn’t go unnoticed. Fans quickly spotted the clip on a television screen in the background, and word of the Easter egg spread online. Among those who responded was Cameron’s mother, Libby Boyce, who shared her gratitude on Instagram.
“Adam always finds a way to keep Cam’s memory alive,” she wrote on July 27. “Which warms our heart.”
She went on to reflect on the connection her son shared with Sandler.
“Adam and Cameron talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death,” she revealed. “Cameron was supposed to be in Hubie Halloween, and they were strategizing. They had a bond I think related to being authentic, funny, and just keeping it real.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Though it’s been five years since Boyce’s passing due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), his legacy continues through tributes like Sandler’s, his family’s foundation work with The Cameron Boyce Foundation, and the love of fans who still remember him as a bright light on screen.
For Sandler, it seems Cameron will always be a part of his extended Hollywood family — and Happy Gilmore 2 is just the latest reminder of how much he meant.
“He’s still with us,” Sandler’s tribute quietly says — not with fanfare, but with heart.
Final Word
In a world where on-screen tributes can often feel forced or performative, Adam Sandler’s subtle inclusion of Cameron Boyce in Happy Gilmore 2 is a masterclass in sincerity — a nod to a young actor whose spirit clearly left a lasting impression. Through small moments, Sandler ensures Cameron’s memory keeps shining for audiences old and new.
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