Angus Cloud, a star of the popular HBO series Euphoria, passed away at the age of 25. According to a publicist, Cloud, who portrayed drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill on the teen drama, passed away on Monday at his home in Oakland, California.
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” said a statement from Cloud’s family.
According to family, Angus Cloud recently buried his father and also, he currently engaged in a “battle with mental health”.
The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend,” the statement read.
“We hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.”
The cause of death has not been given. However, two weeks ago, Cloud posted a photo of his father on Instagram and wrote: “miss u breh.”
” Battle with suicidal thoughts”
A source close to Cloud’s family told Entertainment Tonight that Cloud “had been battling severe suicidal thoughts” after he returned from Ireland where he had buried his father. However, Cloud was staying with family, ET reported, “as he tried to work through overcoming grief”.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family,” HBO said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
Cloud had minor acting credits in two films, North Hollywood and The Line. He had also appeared in music videos for artists including Becky G, Karol G and Juice WRLD. But his career really took off after he won the part of Fez, a high school drug dealer in Euphoria.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cloud’s role in Euphoria turned him into a breakout star. Moreover, the show expanded his character in the second season.
Interview with GQ
According to a 2019 interview with GQ, Cloud had no real aspirations to become a star, or even an actor. The magazine states that Cloud used to work at a chicken and waffle joint and that one day, an agent from a casting company unexpectedly stopped him.
“I was confused and I didn’t want to give her my phone number,” Cloud told GQ. “I thought it was a scam.”
After first airing in June 2019, Euphoria quickly became a hit and by 2022. Additionally, it was the most tweeted-about TV show of the decade in the US. The main character, played by Zendaya, is a 17-year-old who struggles with drug abuse, seen on screen taking the deadly opioid fentanyl and injecting morphine.
In 2022, Cloud defended accusations during an interview with TMZ that the show glorified drug use. His Euphoria co-star, Javon “Wanna” Walton, known in the show as Cloud’s adoptive brother, Ashtray, wrote on Instagram about Cloud’s death: “Rest easy brother.”
On X, formerly known as Twitter, California congresswoman Barbara Lee lamented the loss of “Oakland’s own”. “His immense talent touched the lives of countless people. His work & legacy will forever live on and make Oakland proud,” she posted.
Actress Kerry Washington also posted on the platform: “You will be deeply missed. Rest in power.”