Adam Sandler Honors Cameron Boyce in Happy Gilmore 2
The late actor makes a brief but meaningful appearance, thanks to Sandler’s heartfelt dedication and cutting-edge technology.
Adam Sandler’s highly anticipated sequel Happy Gilmore 2 is more than just a nostalgic return to one of his most iconic roles. It also serves as a deeply personal tribute to late actor Cameron Boyce, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 20 due to complications from epilepsy.
Sandler and Boyce shared the screen in the Grown Ups films, where Boyce played Sandler’s son. Their working relationship quickly evolved into a close bond, with Sandler later describing Boyce as “the funniest, coolest, smartest and one of the most talented kids I’ve ever met.”
“He was filled with energy,” Sandler recalled. “Just a few days before he passed away, Cameron was helping me organize a Halloween promo for the movie, and then suddenly, he was gone. He needed to be a part of it.”
Though Boyce tragically died before filming for Happy Gilmore 2 began, Sandler was determined to include him in the project. Reportedly, the actor spent approximately $300,000 using AI-based restoration technology to digitally recreate Boyce’s likeness for a brief appearance in the film, an effort driven not by publicity, but by a sense of personal loss and responsibility.
“People think I’m foolish to do this, to spend so much money on a boy who passed years ago, that nobody would ever appreciate what I did,” Sandler said. “But I don’t care. I still feel it’s not enough.”
In addition to honoring Boyce’s memory, Sandler’s decision also allows him to pay image royalties to Boyce’s parents, something he had long hoped to do. “Since Cameron’s death, I swore I’d take care of his poor parents for the rest of my life,” he said. Although the family had previously declined Sandler’s financial support, this gesture offers him a way to provide for them in a manner consistent with his values and their mutual respect.
Happy Gilmore 2 now stands not only as a continuation of a beloved comedy, but as a heartfelt tribute to a young actor whose talent, spirit, and legacy continue to resonate deeply with those who knew and loved him.