'Showbiz Kids': Honoring the memory of Cameron Boyce who handled fame of a child star better than most kids
HBO's new documentary sheds light on the life of 'Showbiz Kids', child actors who made it big in Hollywood at a tender age. The film features candid accounts from various A-listers in the industry whose childhood was the jumpstart to their acting career. It also spotlights two aspiring younglings who are working towards turning their acting passion into a full-time career.
Every year nearly 200,000 children get into Hollywood with dreams of becoming fine young actors, but the tragic truth is that most of these hopefuls don't book a single gig. Interviews with former child stars like Dianna Serra Cary, Henry Thomas, Todd Bridges, Evan Rachel Wood, Jada Pinkett Smith, Milla Jovovich, Wil Wheaton, Mara Wilson and more gives us insight into how Hollywood operates.
While each of these stars achieved stardom at a very young age, their life growing up and transitioning into adulthood was not exactly smooth-sailing. However, one of the more impacting stories of struggle highlighted in the film would be that of the late Disney actor, Cameron Boyce. Boyce was loved by not only his fans but everyone that came across him because of the person that he was. He tragically passed away in his sleep after suffering from an epileptic attack on July 6, 2019, but friends of the starlet and everyone who knew him still talk about him fondly and honor his legacy.
Boyce had just turned 20 when he passed away, but he had several years of acting and performing under his belt. In 'Showbiz Kids', Boyce is seen recounting memories from his early years where his father would often drive him to various auditions and he would playfully reprimand him for being picked up from school, in the middle of class. However, much like any other actor, he had struggled. Audition after audition would result in failure, but he was unshaken, passionate and resilient, enough to strive forward.
He eventually landed his first proper gig starring as Michael in 'General Hospital: Night Shift.' He made his television debut in Panic! at the Disco's 2008 music video for their song, 'The Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)', and then it was an uphill battle. He entered the film industry and took on a variety of roles starring in movies like 'Mirrors' and 'Grown Ups'. Not long after, he became a Disney kid and was tapped in to play prominent roles in 'Good Luck Charlie', 'Jessie' and 'Descendants'. He was the recipient of a Daytime Emmy award, and also a selfless humanitarian.
Alex Winter, the director of 'Showbiz Kids' felt it was only natural that he ask Boyce to be a part of his documentary project, first because of his beginning, and secondly because his own sons looked up to Boyce. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Winter revealed that he was impressed by Boyce and how he handled fame at such a young age. Winter himself was a child actor, and he especially pointed out Boyce's resilience and level-headedness in this social-media culture dominated world. He also mourns the loss of the talented young boy, who had a promising career ahead of him with the path that he had paved for himself in Hollywood. The HBO documentary film was dedicated to his memory.