Angus Cloud, the actor who starred as the lovable drug dealer Fezco on HBO’s Euphoria for two seasons, has passed away at just 25 years old.
Cloud’s family announced the news to the press on Monday.
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. 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,” read the statement.
“We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.”
HBO made a statement on the official Twitter account which read: “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. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
According to TMZ, Oakland PD and Fire Department responded to a 911 call made around 11:30 AM on Monday by Cloud’s mother. She reported a “possible overdose,” and said Cloud did not have a pulse. He was eventually pronounced dead on the scene.
Conor Angus Cloud Hickey was born July 10, 1998 in Oakland, California to Irish parents and was the eldest of his 3 siblings. Cloud had originally intended to move to Ireland before getting thrown into the world of film and TV. He studied behind-the-scenes crafts like set-building and lighting at Oakland School for the Arts.
After graduating, Cloud relocated to New York and began working at a chicken-and-waffles restaurant in Brooklyn to support himself. Despite his involvement in the theater world during his education, acting was not something he had seriously considered, however, fate took an unexpected turn when a casting agent named Jennifer Venditti noticed him while he was walking on the streets of Manhattan. Recognizing his potential, she had a vision of him portraying the character of Fezco. This chance encounter marked the beginning of Angus Cloud’s acting career, leading him to land the significant role in Euphoria, HBO’s Emmy-winning addiction drama from Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya.
Cloud recalled in an interview with iD in March how he was discovered:
“I definitely thought it could be some kind of scam,” he laughed. “Then they brought me back in and they showed me the role, and it made more sense. Because in my mind I was like, they stopped me because I look like I could be a star? Then I’m like, no, it’s because I look like I could be a drug dealer.”
Cloud’s character Fezco, commonly referred to as “Fez,” is a drug dealer who becomes intertwined with the lives of several main characters in the show.
In Euphoria, Fez is depicted as a complex and empathetic individual. Despite his involvement in illegal activities, he is shown to have a caring and protective nature, especially towards his close friend Rue Bennett, portrayed by Zendaya, who is one of the central characters in the series. Fezco’s character plays a significant role in the narrative, and his interactions with other characters often highlight the complexities of addiction, relationships, and the challenges faced by the show’s young protagonists.
Cloud’s portrayal of Fezco received widespread acclaim for its authenticity and depth, contributing to the critical and commercial success of Euphoria. The HBO hit show premiered in 2019 and garnered praise for its raw and unflinching exploration of the lives of teenagers dealing with various issues such as addiction, mental health, and identity.
Levinson had begun writing the already renewed third season of Euphoria before the WGA strike began. With the season currently halted amid the work stoppage, it’s unclear what the creator had originally planned.
In 2019, Cloud had a minor role in the skater dramedy North Hollywood, sharing the screen with notable actors like Vince Vaughn, Miranda Cosgrove, and Ryder McLaughlin. More recently, he took on a starring role in The Line, a thrilling film directed by Ethan Berger and featuring Alex Wolff and Halle Bailey. The movie delves into the intriguing world of Greek Life, offering a captivating and suspenseful narrative.
Due to his almost instant stardom thanks to his performance in Euphoria, he was also a hit in the fashion world. In 2022 he was named the face of Polo by Ralph Lauren and his official Instagram is full of his many other modeling campaigns.
Cloud is also credited to appear in an untitled thriller from Universal Pictures, who announced in May that he was set to join the cast alongside Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s Katheryn Newton, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens and In the Heights’s Melissa Barrera. Filming began in Ireland in May, but it is unclear if filming has been completed.
He also stars alongside Pedro Pascal in the Oakland-set drama Freaky Tales, which wrapped production in January of this year.
REELated:
Javon Walton who played Cloud’s brother Ashtray on Euphoria shared this heartfelt post on Instagram:
And also posted another photo of the two of them on his Instagram story:
As news of his passing spread, many more headed to social media to pay their respects to the young actor and fashion model:
Rapper Drake who serves as an executive producer for Euphoria, mentioned Cloud in his instagram story:
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson shared this statement to the press:
“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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained counselor or visit the Lifeline site.
