Jenna Ortega recalled how the late Cameron Boyce defended her during an audition where they were supposed to kiss when they were teenagers.
The 21-year-old actress knew Boyce from a young age, when they were both Disney Channel stars. The actor died in 2019 at the age of 20 after suffering a seizure while sleeping.
Ortega and her “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” co-stars Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara recently sat down for an interview with French television channel Canal+, during which the “Wednesday” actress recalled the last exchange she shared with Boyce before his death.
“The last time I saw my friend Cameron Boyce, I'd known him since I was 11 or 12, and we were supposed to kiss… [in an audition] “He'd known me since I was 11 or 12,” Ortega said. “This was a few years later, 15 or 16, when we got together and we were supposed to be love interests. But because he obviously felt weird and was a little bit older, we looked at each other and said, 'No, we can't do this.'”
Jenna Ortega recalled how the late actor Cameron Boyce stopped an audition in which they were supposed to kiss when they were teenagers because she felt “uncomfortable.” (Getty)
“And it was really sweet because I was feeling awkward and I was going through a hard time,” she continued. “And then we just wished each other the best.”
'WEDNESDAY' STAR JENNA ORTEGA ADMITS 'CHILD ACTING IS WEIRD' AND THERE ARE MOMENTS WHEN I 'REGREET' CHOOSING HER
Ortega told her co-stars that she was “really grateful” that Boyce noticed her discomfort and spoke up for her.
Ryder and O'Hara praised the “Mrs. Fletcher” star for his chivalrous act, saying he was a “gentleman.”
Ortega starred on Disney Channel's “Stuck in the Middle” for three seasons. (Adam Taylor/Disney Channel via Getty Images)
In July 2019, Boyce's family said he died in his sleep “due to a seizure that was a result of an ongoing medical condition.”
He Los Angeles The county coroner's office later released an autopsy report indicating Boyce died unexpectedly of epilepsy.
“It was really sweet because I was feeling uncomfortable and I was having a bad time.”
According to the report, the “Descendants” star was found unresponsive at her home on July 6 and later pronounced dead at the scene.
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At the time of Boyce's death, his family released a moving statement through their spokesperson.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the loss of Cameron this morning,” a spokesman for the Boyce family said.
Boyce starred in the Disney Channel Original TV movies “Descendants.” (David Bukach via Getty Images)
“The world has undoubtedly lost one of its brightest figures, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him,” they added. The family said they are “absolutely heartbroken” by his passing and asked for privacy as they mourn.
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Boyce had been acting since he was 9 years old and was heavily involved in charity work. In March 2019, he introduced former Vice President and future President of the United States Joe Biden at the Biden Courage Awards.
During an interview with People magazine in June at the annual Cam For A Cause fundraising event for the Cameron Boyce Foundation, the actor's parents, Libby and Victor, shared their gratitude toward the friends and fans who paid tribute to Boyce on May 25, which would have been his 25th birthday.
The actor died at the age of 20 in 2019 after suffering a seizure. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Victor told the outlet that the outpouring of love for his son “means everything.”
“Because of the love Cameron receives, we can still continue to grow as a foundation. We can spread the mission and the message because people still want to hold on to it. They don't want it to go away,” Victor said.
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“So, in addition to upholding his legacy, all of his fans and his followers are also keeping his legacy alive,” he added. “And that's very important, obviously, for many reasons for us.”
“For me, it's a reminder of what a beautiful soul we had and also what we raised,” Libby said. “So it's a very bittersweet experience. It was a very hard day, but it was also very beautiful to see what he meant to so many people.”
