When The 100 audience sees the end-credits roll, they rarely think of the artists behind the camera, the one that turns imagination into visual form. Yet among those unsung heroes was Chad Boyce, a name not announced but unmistakably into the annals of the show.
While not a familiar name, Boyce’s contribution to television was significant and sincere. He was one of those few souls who enjoyed the beauty of being in the background, making every shot a story unto itself. His path, exemplified by commitment, imagination, and passive intensity, continues to inspire those who knew him and those who appreciate his efforts today.
In this piece, we take a look into the amazing life of Chad Boyce — a look at who he was, what drove him to be artistic, and how his early death created an aching vacancy in the hearts of all who worked around him.
Early Life & Formative Years
Chad Phillip Boyce was born on September 23, 1978, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His mother passed away prematurely, which left him having to be raised by his father, Larry Boyce. Chad grew up in Vancouver, a city of emerging cinema, and an interest in telling stories visually developed early.
Though details about his upbringing of a child are scarce, Chad’s path necessarily led to cinematography and photography. He would spend hours messing around with light, camera, and composition. Over time, these experiments became the perfected craft of his.
Entering the World Behind the Lens
Chad’s career in film started small. Early credit has him listed as a trainee on the 2002 production Punch. He then became a member of the International Cinematographer Guild (ICG) 669, located in Vancouver, among the ranks of fellow technical artisans that bring stories to life.
He worked his way up over the years to become 2nd assistant cameraman on films and shows with some of the most ambitious visual storytelling. Some of those included TV shows such as Riverdale and Wynonna Earp. But Chad is however celebrated by many for his time on the sci-fi smash hit The 100. Although he never made it on screen, his camerawork was one of the elements that created the look of the show and its rich visual detail.
Passion, Personality & Off-Set Interests
Chad had a passion for travel, photography, and animals, especially dogs. Chad’s friends, colleagues and family still remember him as a gentle individual who infused positive vibes everywhere. He was said to enjoy rambling around, photographing new locations with his camera, and translating those experiences in his photos.
Instead of riding on hype, Chad was always more concerned about improving his craft. He loved the quiet joy of capturing the shot over being in the limelight. For him, telling a story visually was not about fame, but about serving the story, actors, and crew.
The Tragic Turn & Questions Surrounding His Death
At the young age of 39, on April 17, 2018, sadly Chad died unexpectedly. His death deeply shook his co-workers, friends, and fellow fans of The 100 equally. The producers of the show paid an on-screen tribute to him – “In Loving Memory of Chad Boyce” during the fourth episode of Season 5, a sincere gesture to a man whose work had contributed to their storytelling.
The official cause of death is still not confirmed, till date. Substance intoxication has been speculated on by some reports and social media postings by friends. One close friend, Dale Shaben, reported that Chad had just come back from a big trip to Asia, and was in shock and devastated hearing about an overdose. However the claims were never confirmed.
The people who loved him and knew who he truly was never believed in rumours and instead focused on honouring his life.
Legacy in Light & Shadows
Although Chad Boyce never craved the spotlight, his impact remains — particularly in the fandom of The 100. His commitment to making every shot count added depth to the show. And when a program takes a moment to acknowledge someone off-camera, it lets viewers know that the process of making art is one that is remarkably collaborative.
His passing also serves as a reminder of how many anonymous artisans it requires to bring our beloved stories to us. As authors and actors accept their applause, it is the unseen creatives who translate vision into picture.
To this day, fans and crew members pay tribute to him with tweets, pictures of the sets he worked on, and anecdotes shared in interviews. He’s not remembered as a celeb, but as a skilled craftsperson, someone whose work made the tales we love shine.
Why the Story of Chad Boyce Matters
You may wonder: why highlight someone who never played under the lights? Because Chad’s story represents many in creative fields whose names are never mentioned, though their fingers fill our screens. His path shows us:
Passion, not visibility — he worked day and night because he cared not about the applause, but the art.
The brittleness of life — his early death speaks to how unpredictable life is, even for the promising ones.
Celebrating behind-the-scenes players — remembering Chad encourages us to look at those off-stage in all styles of art and cinema.
In the retelling of Chad Boyce, we see that every frame, every angle, every tip of light owes a debt to people who will never become famous — but whose work no less is essential.