Kenny Ortega honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

The award-winning director, producer, and choreographer behind the High School Musical and Descendants franchises, Hocus Pocus and Newsies has received a star on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame for his achievements.

His star was unveiled at a star-studded event on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood on Wednesday July 24 in the presence of colleagues, friends, and fans.

Many members of Kenny’s legendary Disney family gathered in support of him at the unveiling, including Dove Cameron (Descendants), Booboo Stewart (Descendants), Mitchell Hope (Descendants), Monique Coleman (High School Musical) and Kathy Najimi (Descendants and Hocus Pocus). Arm-in-arm with Kenny’s Disney family was the family of the late Cameron Boyce (who played Carlos in the Descendants series), who sadly passed away in his sleep earlier this month at age 20.

During his acceptance speech, Ortega took the time to pay a powerful tribute to the young Disney star, who he worked with on three Descendants films. Ortega said: “Cameron Boyce was so excited for me and wanted to be here, but he isn’t here today. His all-too-brief appearance in this life inspired me beyond words and many of us here and generations of kids and families all over the world.

“His extraordinary talent and loving heart will be remembered through his foundation, The Cameron Boyce Foundation, and has been set up by his family to remember Cameron by continuing his pursuit to make positive change in the world.

“Cameron said, ‘We can’t take it with us, so it’s about what you leave’. And with this, I promise Cameron I will take this goodness with me, in all the days of my life.”

Ortega went on to say: “He became like one of my own kids. He was a source of inspiration. The light he brought into the room was extraordinary.

“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.”

Watch Kenny Ortega’s full acceptance speech via Variety below.

Kenny Ortega remembers "Descendants" star Cameron Boyce: "His all-too brief appearance in this life inspired me beyond words, and many of us here and generations of kids and families all over the world" pic.twitter.com/y2gCaxPXiN

— Variety (@Variety) July 24, 2019

Cameron Boyce passed away just weeks before the release of Descendants 3. The premiere was set to fall on July 22, but Disney – in an act of remembrance and respect – decided to cancel the event and instead donate to The Thirst Project, of which Cameron was an advocate.

With permission from the Boyce family, Disney Channel will dedicate the August 3 telecast of Descendants 3 to Cameron Boyce’s memory.

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