‘Grateful That He Did That’: Jenna Ortega Recalls How Late Co-Star Cameron Boyce Saved Her From An ‘Uncomfortable’ Audition

As an admirer who has followed Jenna Ortega’s journey since her early days in Hollywood, I find it heartwarming to see how her bond with the late Cameron Boyce continues to shine even five years after his passing. The story of their shared audition and Boyce’s gentle intervention is a testament to his character – a true gentleman indeed!


Jennifer Ortega shares heartwarming stories about her late friend Cameron Boyce, who passed away five years ago from an epileptic seizure. In an interview with France’s Canal+, the actress from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reminisced about a time when Boyce came to her aid during an awkward audition. “The last time I saw Cameron Boyce – we had been friends since we were around 11 or 12 years old, and there was this audition where we were supposed to kiss,” she said, looking back on the experience.

In the audition, they were asked to portray romantic interests and exchange a kiss, leaving Ortega feeling uneasy. Similarly, Boyce felt awkward due to their age difference, and at one point, they both seemed hesitant, looking at each other and questioning if they could carry it out successfully.

The actress shared that it was delightfully comforting as she felt uneasy during the audition, but Boyce’s action made things easier for her,” Ortega explained. “I fondly recall feeling extremely appreciative and grateful for his kindness.” O’Hara also praised Boyce, calling him a “gentleman” for his thoughtful act, which Ortega concurred with.

On July 6, 2019, the talented young actor, renowned for his work in Grown Ups, Jessie, Descendants, and Mrs. Fletcher, passed away peacefully in his sleep. His family announced this heartbreaking news, citing an ongoing health issue – later identified as epilepsy – as the cause.

With deep sorrow, we share the news that Cameron passed away peacefully during the night due to complications from an ongoing health issue, specifically a seizure, for which he had been receiving treatment. This information comes directly from the family’s representative.

Additionally, the family confessed they were “completely devastated” and asked for solitude to mourn the passing of their cherished one initially. Later on, Boyce’s family established a foundation bearing his name, with the goal of eradicating epilepsy through research funding, educational programs, and awareness initiatives.

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2024-09-13 18:24