Cameron Boyce’s Parents Reflect on Late Actor’s Career: ‘He Was So Much More Than a Disney Star’ (Exclusive)

Victor and Libby Boyce are forever proud of their late son Cameron, and continue to honor his legacy through the Cameron Boyce Foundation not only during the month of November — which is Epilepsy Awareness Month — but every day of their lives.

"He was so much more than just a Disney star," mom Libby exclusively told The Messenger. "He worked so hard to expand his craft and to become more serious [and be] taken seriously as an actor. Because a lot of kids go through the Disney thing and then [get] spit out." 

She continued, "Quite honestly, when you get out of Disney, it's pretty hard to go into so-called mainstream Hollywood, because other Disney kids aren't respected as actors because it's so formulaic. You know, they can almost sub in anybody, but Cameron has real acting chops, and he wanted people to know. And he did, he really did. He took his craft so seriously. He was much more than... The kid was amazing."

Some of Cameron's impressive acting credits include General Hospital: Night Shift, Grown Ups and its sequel, Mrs. Fletcher, and Paradise City.

Victor went on to explain that the family started the Cameron Boyce Foundation — which aims to cure epilepsy through funding research, education and awareness campaigns while still supporting causes that were important to Cameron — not only to keep his memory alive, but to honor the work that was important to him. 

The actor died suddenly in 2019 due to a seizure. He was 20 years old. 

"Healing is hard," said Victor. "Healing is a journey. Certainly the foundation has given us a sense of purpose. Cameron would be super disappointed if we just dropped the ball on all the things that he was doing. He was very philanthropic and super giving of his time and a caring person."

He added, "Initially, that's what we started to do with the foundation. But the thing about epilepsy for us is that's what took our son, that's what hits the hardest. It's devastating, the loss of Cameron. So it definitely gives us purpose, to keep his legacy alive and to make something — I hate to say positive out of his death because there's nothing positive about his death — but he just can't die and that be it, basically is the sentiment."

In honor of November being Epilepsy Awareness Month, the foundation will also be selling Lavender Collection Soy Candles as a fundraiser, set to launch this Friday.

Earlier this year, celebrities came together to remember Cameron at the CAM for a Cause Gala for the fourth anniversary of the Descendants actor's death.

"I'm sure you'll hear many people say that [Cameron] is so kind, so warm and so talented," Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi told The Messenger at the time. "And I think he really showed us how to use your talent for a cause."