In the newly released *Happy Gilmore 2*, fans quickly spotted a heartfelt nod to the late Cameron Boyce, who starred as Adam Sandler’s on-screen son in the *Grown Ups* films. As Sandler’s character approaches a check‑in booth at a golf course, a background television briefly plays a clip from Disney Channel’s *Jessie*, featuring Boyce as Luke Ross insiders confirmed. The emotional moment struck viewers as a gentle tribute buried within the comedy.
Cameron Boyce passed away in July 2019 at age 20 from a seizure, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and humor. Sandler previously honored him during the credits of his 2020 film *Hubie Halloween*, dedicating the movie “In loving memory of CAMERON BOYCE…” as noted in official film notes. This latest cameo triggered tears and cheers from fans, many calling it Sandler’s most touching tribute yet.
“Adam Sandler including Cameron Boyce in #HappyGilmore2 as a cameo is so heartwarming…”
Public reaction poured in on X and TikTok, where users shared screenshots and emotional quotes like “It hit me straight in the feels” according to LADbible. One viewer wrote they “didn’t notice it at first—and then cried,” while another said, “Adam keeps his memory alive so beautifully” as fans shared.
“Just realized if Cameron Boyce was still here, there’s a good chance he’d have been in Happy Gilmore 2…”
The cameo is subtle yet powerful: in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot, Boyce appears in a Jessie clip on a CRT television mounted behind a character at the booth. It’s not framed as a character cameo, but as a meta-reference—an affectionate easter egg that only intimate fans would catch as People magazine reported.
Happy Gilmore 2, released on Netflix July 25, also serves as a broader tribute to others lost, like Carl Weathers, commemorated in script changes and storyline shifts after his passing in 2024 as critics observed. The film blends nostalgia and new comedy with returning characters and cameos from celebrities like Ben Stiller, Bad Bunny, and NFL star Travis Kelce as reviews note.
Fans and critics alike see the Boyce tribute as emblematic of Sandler’s loyalty to past collaborators. Boyce starred alongside him in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2, and Sandler has spoken publicly about the young actor’s impact, calling Boyce “one of the kindest and funniest kids around” after his death as he previously shared.
Happy Gilmore 2 also leans heavily into nostalgia—with Julie Bowen reprising her role in clever throwback scenes, Ben Stiller returning as Hal L., and dozens of glimpses at the original film’s charm. The trailer, loaded with callbacks, has fans relishing both warmth and absurdity in nearly every moment as the film review highlighted.
Critics offered mixed reactions: some praised the emotional Easter egg and the film’s nostalgic heart, while others felt it leaned too heavily on cameos and lacked the original’s energy as Decider’s review argued. Regardless, the Boyce moment stands out as a highlight, one that transcends comedy to deliver sincerity.
“That tribute to Cameron Boyce was such a touching detail, quietly perfect amongst all the chaos.”
In an era where sequels often chase spectacle, Sandler’s tribute to Boyce feels intentional. It’s a whisper of memory nestled inside manic comedy—a reminder that amidst celebrity cameos and golf gags, emotional connection still matters. For fans of Boyce and Sandler alike, it confirms that relationships on-screen can endure off-screen echoes.
Ultimately, the cameo isn’t about fan service—it’s about remembrance. Sandler has shown before that he honors collaborators with humility and care, and in Happy Gilmore 2, that tribute is elegantly understated. For those who pause to look, the moment transforms the comedy into a small act of love.
