Netflix released “Happy Gilmore 2” on July 25, and the Adam Sandler sequel is filled end to end with celebrity cameos. Amidst all of the uproarious surprise appearances, the film also offers a subtle nod to late actor Cameron Boyce, who starred alongside Sandler in “Grown Ups” and “Grown Ups 2” before his untimely death in 2019.
“Happy Gilmore 2’s” tribute to Boyce comes in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment when Sandler’s titular character checks in for a tee time early in the film. When Happy approaches the desk, one of the workers is watching TV on his laptop and observant viewers will notice that the footage is from an episode of “Jessie” featuring Boyce. It is a discreet reference, but one that numerous viewers have noticed and brought attention to on social media.
This marks the second time that Sandler paid tribute to the late actor in a film. Boyce was supposed to appear alongside Sandler in the 2020 film “Hubie Halloween.” Instead, the film is dedicated to his memory, with the credits mentioning, “In loving memory of Cameron Boyce. Gone way too soon and one of the kindest, coolest, funniest, and most talented kids we knew. You live on forever in our hearts and are truly missed every day.”
Boyce was a child actor who came up on Disney Channel, starring in the sitcom “Jessie” as well as the “Descendants” movies. He also appeared in the 2008 films “Mirrors” and “Eagle Eye,” before playing Sandler’s on-screen son in both “Grown Ups” films. Boyce passed away at the age of twenty due to an epileptic seizure in his sleep. His performances in “Descendants 3,” “Mrs. Fletcher,” “Paradise City” and “Runt” were all released posthumously.
Shortly after Boyce’s death, Sandler also posted on Twitter, “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.”
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