Angus Cloud is dead. The 25 year old who earned critical acclaim for playing the drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill on the HBO show, Euphoria, died Monday in Oakland, California.
Cloud’s publicist, Cait Bailey, disclosed that he died at his family home in Oakland, California. However, she provided no cause of death. Likewise, The Oakland Fire Department said at a press briefing that it found the patient “already deceased” when responding to a medical emergency at approximately 11:30 a.m. The fire department also said the cause of death is unknown. But per the Oakland Police Department, the case remains an “active death investigation.”
Angus Coud’s family also released a statement saying goodbye to “an artist, a friend, a brother, and a son. The family said, “Last week, he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss.” Adding that. “The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health, and we hope his passing can remind others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.” We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter, and love for everyone,” his family concluded.
Cloud’s first acting role was in Euphoria, and the story of his casting is even more unique. Eléonore Hendricks, a casting scout, saw him on the streets of New York and thought he was perfect for the character of Fez. Cloud was originally skeptical, expecting a ruse. He eventually met casting director Jennifer Venditti and series creator Sam Levinson, who cast him as a series regular on the show for two seasons.
The news of Angus Cloud’s passing has left many of his cast mates and fans in shock and disbelief. Levinson acknowledged how special Cloud was in a statement. Saying that “There was no one quite like Angus.” “He was too special, too talented, and way too young to leave us so soon. He also struggled, like many of us, with addiction and depression. I hope he knew how many hearts he touched, I loved him. I always will. Rest in peace, and God Bless his family.”
Some fans believed Angus Cloud was identical to his onscreen character, Fez. However, Cloud was strongly against this narrative. In an interview with Variety, he said, “It does bother me when people are like, ‘It must be so easy! You get to go in and be yourself.’ I’m like, ‘Why don’t you go and do that?’ “It’s not that simple,” I add. “I brought a lot to the character. You can believe what you want. It ain’t got nothing to do with me.”
HBO has released a statement saying that Cloud “was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and ‘Euphoria’ family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”