'Descendants 3' Director Kenny Ortega Remembers Late Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce— who starred in Jessie and the Descendants movies on the Disney Channel —died on July 6at the age of 20 of anepileptic seizure.Ahead of the Aug. 2 premiere ofDescendants 3, director Kenny Ortega, 69, pays tribute to the late actor in his own words in this week’s issue of PEOPLE.

When I pursued Cameron for the role of Carlos inDescendants, I was told, “He’s really busy withJessie.” But I didn’t quit.

Then we ran into each other at the Disney Channel offices, and I told him the idea face-to-face. That led Cameron to saying, “I want to do this.” From that minute, he became like one of my own kids. He was a source of inspiration. The light he brought into the room was extraordinary.

I was traveling [when I learned of his death]. It was unimaginable—that’s how it hit us all.

Everything is about Cameron now.Descendants 3is dedicated Cameron.The Cameron Boyce Foundationhas been set up and has an incredible mission to give young artistic people an outlet and also to help the philanthropic causes Cameron participated in.

John Sciulli/Getty

He was a young person with not only an electric gift as a performer but a big heart. We had plans to continue forward as creative partners, to find that next project. Now it’s not a movie — it’s supporting his family and the foundation.

That’s how we give importance to who he was.

Descendants 3premieres Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel.

source: people.com