US actor Angus Cloud arrives to attend Variety's 2022 Power of Young Hollywood at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, on August 11, 2022. Cloud, who is best known for his role on 'Euphoria', has died at the age of 25, according to US media reports. — Photo: AFP
Angus Cloud, the actor who starred as the drug dealer Fezco "Fez” O'Neill on the HBO series Euphoria, has died. He was 25.
Cloud's publicist, Cait Bailey, said Cloud died Monday at his family home in Oakland, California. No cause of death was given.
In a statement, Cloud's family said goodbye to "an artist, a friend, a brother and a son.”
"Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,” the family said. "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 that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.”
"We hope the world remembers him for his humour, laughter and love for everyone,” his family added.
US actor Angus Cloud attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Oscars at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022. — Photo: AFP
Cloud hadn’t acted before he was cast in Euphoria. He was walking down the street in New York when casting scout Eléonore Hendricks noticed him. Cloud was resistant at first, suspecting a scam. Then casting director Jennifer Venditti met with him and series creator Sam Levinson eventually made him a co-star in the series alongside Zendaya for its first two seasons.
To some, Cloud seemed so natural as Fez that they suspected he was identical to the character – a notion that Cloud pushed back against.
"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," Cloud told Variety. "I brought a lot to the character. You can believe what you want. It ain’t got nothing to do with me.”
The part made Cloud the breakout star of one the buzziest shows in television. He was recently cast to co-star in Scream 6.
"We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud,” HBO said in a statement. "He 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.” – AP
