Adam Sandler has a reputation for being the most loyal guy in Hollywood. If you’ve ever watched a Happy Madison production, you know the drill—you’re going to see the same familiar faces, the same goofy energy, and a whole lot of heart. But when Happy Gilmore 2 finally dropped on Netflix in July 2025, one specific moment caught people off guard. It wasn't a raunchy joke or a Travis Kelce cameo. It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tribute to the late Cameron Boyce that had everyone reaching for the tissues.
Honestly, it’s been years since we lost Cameron, but for Sandler, the wound clearly hasn't fully healed.
The Subtle Tribute to Cameron Boyce in Happy Gilmore 2 Explained
If you aren't looking closely, you might miss the moment entirely. The tribute happens early in the film. Happy is heading toward a check-in booth at a golf course, lugging his clubs like he always does. As he walks up to the desk, the camera pans across the staff members who are—classic Sandler style—barely paying attention to their jobs. Instead, they’re glued to a small, old-school television sitting in the corner of the booth.
On that screen? A clip from the Disney Channel show Jessie.
Specifically, it’s a shot of Boyce playing his iconic character, Luke Ross. It’s quick. It’s subtle. There’s no big dramatic music or slow-motion montage. But for the fans who grew up watching Cameron, or those who loved him as Keithie Feder in the Grown Ups movies, the message was loud and clear. Sandler wasn't just filling background space; he was keeping a promise to a kid he considered family.
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Why Adam Sandler Included the Cameo
Sandler didn't leave fans guessing about why he did it. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter shortly after the movie's release, he basically said it was a no-brainer. He mentioned how the team was sitting around trying to figure out what should be playing on that background TV.
"We said, 'Might as well throw Cameron in there. He’s the man. Keep him part of our family,'" Sandler told the outlet.
It’s a sentiment that fits perfectly with how Sandler runs his sets. He famously treats his co-stars like actual relatives. Boyce played Sandler's son in both Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2, and they developed a bond that went way beyond a call sheet. In fact, Cameron was actually supposed to be in the 2020 film Hubie Halloween. They were already "strategizing" and getting ready to shoot when Cameron tragically passed away in his sleep due to a seizure in 2019.
The loss hit the whole cast hard. Instead of just moving on, Sandler dedicated Hubie Halloween to him and has now found a way to bring him back for the Happy Gilmore sequel.
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A Mother's Reaction
The most touching part of this whole story might be how it landed with Cameron’s family. His mother, Libby Boyce, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the Happy Gilmore 2 cameo. She mentioned that Adam and Cameron actually talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death.
"Adam always finds a way to keep Cam’s memory alive which warms our hearts," she wrote. That kind of validation from a grieving parent says more than any press release ever could. It proves that these tributes aren't just for PR or "Easter eggs" for the fans—they're genuine acts of remembrance.
More Than Just One Tribute
While the Cameron Boyce moment is the one everyone is talking about on TikTok, Happy Gilmore 2 is actually a bit of a memorial for several lost legends. Sandler has always been nostalgic, and this movie leans into that hard.
Since the original 1996 film, the world has lost some of the biggest names associated with the Happy Gilmore brand.
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- Carl Weathers: The legendary Chubbs Peterson. Even though Chubbs "fell" out of a window in the first movie, fans were hoping for a return. Weathers sadly passed away in 2024, but the movie still honors his legacy through his on-screen son, Slim Peterson, played by Lavell Crawford.
- Bob Barker: The man who gave Happy the most iconic beatdown in cinema history died in 2023. The sequel features a scene in a cemetery where Barker’s tombstone is shown, and let's just say the feud doesn't stay buried.
- Joe Flaherty and Frances Bay: Both the "Jackass" guy and Happy’s sweet Grandma are given nods, acknowledging that they were the backbone of what made the original so special.
It makes the movie feel less like a cash-grab sequel and more like a high-budget family reunion where some of the seats are empty, but the names are still called out.
What This Means for the "Sandlerverse"
For those of us who track the "Sandler Cinematic Universe," this cameo is a big deal. It suggests that even when an actor passes away, their place in Sandler’s world is permanent. It’s sort of a beautiful way to handle the inevitable passage of time in a franchise that spans thirty years.
Cameron Boyce was only 20 when he died. He was the "next generation" of the Sandler crew. Seeing him on that tiny TV screen in Happy Gilmore 2 serves as a reminder of the career he should have had—and the fact that his "dad" Adam is never going to let the audience forget him.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're heading to Netflix to catch the movie or re-watch it after hearing about the tribute, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- Watch the early golf course scenes: Specifically, pay attention to the check-in booth background when Happy first arrives at the course.
- Support the cause: If the tribute moved you, consider looking into The Cameron Boyce Foundation. They do incredible work funding epilepsy research and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) awareness, which is what led to Cameron’s passing.
- Check the credits: Sandler often hides more personal messages or photos in the end credits of his films. If you loved the Hubie Halloween dedication, you’ll want to stick around until the very last frame of this one.
Ultimately, Happy Gilmore 2 succeeds because it understands that comedy is better when it's built on a foundation of real friendship. The tribute to Cameron Boyce isn't a plot point, and it doesn't change the ending of the movie, but it changes how you feel while watching it. It’s a small, quiet moment that says "we still miss you" in the middle of a movie filled with loud, chaotic golf swings. And honestly? That's exactly why we keep watching Adam Sandler movies.