Cameron Boyce’s mother has shared some words after Adam Sandler’s heartfelt tribute to her late son in Happy Gilmore 2.
Happy Gilmore 2 hit Netflix last Friday (July 25), nearly 30 years after the original.
In the sequel, Happy (Sandler) comes out of retirement to fund his daughter’s ballet education.
The film reunites original cast members Julie Bowen (Virginia Venit) and Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), and features celebrity cameos from Travis Kelce, Eminem, and Bad Bunny, as well as appearances by Sandler’s wife Jackie and daughters Sadie and Sunny.
But amid the laughs and callbacks, one short scene left fans especially moved.
Watch the scene below:
Early in the film, as Happy checks in at a golf course, a television behind the front desk plays an episode of Jessie, the Disney Channel series where Boyce starred as Luke Ross from 2011 to 2015.
The subtle nod comes six years after the late actor’s untimely death and quietly honors his legacy.
Fans quickly noticed the moment and took to social media to share their reactions: “Adam Sandler including Cameron Boyce in Happy Gilmore 2 is hurting and healing my heart at the same time,” one viewer wrote on TikTok. Another called it “such a cute and awesome Easter egg.”
The late star’s mom, Libby Boyce, took to Instagram to thank Sandler personally.
“Thank you [Adam Sandler] for honoring Cam’s legacy in Happy Gilmore 2,” she wrote, adding a golf emoji, angel wings, and a purple heart alongside a screenshot of the scene in question.
In a previous post, Libby explained the deep bond between her son and the comedy star, penning: “Adam and Cameron talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death. 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.
“Adam always finds a way to keep Cam’s memory alive, which warms our heart,” she concluded.
Boyce, best known for starring in Disney’s Descendants, passed away in July 2019 at just 20 years old after suffering an epileptic seizure in his sleep. The seizure was linked to an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated.
Sandler, who played Boyce’s on-screen father in Grown Ups and its sequel, was among the first to honor him publicly.
“Loved that kid. Cared so much about his family. Cared so much about the world,” Sandler wrote at the time. “Thank you, Cameron, for all you gave to us. So much more was on the way. All our hearts are broken.”
He also dedicated his 2020 Netflix film Hubie Halloween to Boyce, writing in the credits: “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’s impact continues to be felt as his co-stars paid tribute to him on what would have been his 26th birthday in May.
Dove Cameron shared: “I still feel you all the time. Catch you in the next life. Happy birthday. I love you,” while Sofia Carson posted, “Our Angel. Forever.”
Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
