Actor and activist Cameron Boyce has died aged 20

Cameron Boyce, a former Disney Channel actor and advocate for a more socially conscious Hollywood, has died aged 20. He leaves behind multiple projects in production and a promising future as an activist, with a “strong desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives through his humanitarian work,” as described to ABC News by a Disney Channel spokesperson.

Boyce reportedly died of a seizure in his sleep, the result of an “ongoing medical condition”. “The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights,” says a representative for his family. “His spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him.”

Jo Ann Boyce, Cameron Boyce’s grandmother and one of the Clinton 12, a group of black students who stood up for school desegregation in the US, inspired a lot of the young actor’s social work. 

Besides being known for roles in Descendants and the Disney show Jessie, he was outspoken about the importance of representation in Hollywood and also raised funds for The Thirst Project, a charity fighting the global water crisis.

Even in his acting work this social consciousness shone through. Ahead of starring in the indie thriller Runt last year, he told Dazed why he wanted to take on the role of a neglected teen in a spiral of violence: “It’s important to show (characters) from every walk of life so people can say, ‘I can do that too,’ and feel like their existence is acknowledged,” he says.

Our thoughts are with the actor’s family and friends.