Angus Cloud, Zendaya's co-star in Euphoria, dies at 25

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.

3 things you need to know

• Angus Cloud had laid his father to rest last week in Ireland and was grief struck.
• It is reported that he was dealing with suicidal thoughts for the past few days.
• Although the cause of death was not clear, TMZ reported that Cloud's mother placed a 911 call reporting a "possible overdose".    

Cloud's family releases statement on his death

In a statement, Angus 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.”

(Angus died aged 25 in his Oakland home | Image: AP)

“We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone,” his family added.

As per TMZ, Oakland PD and Fire Department responded to a 911 call made by Cloud's mother. She reported a "possible overdose," and said he did not have a pulse. He was eventually pronounced dead on the scene. A source close to the family informed that Cloud had been battling severe suicidal thoughts after getting back from Ireland, where they laid his father to rest. He was staying with his family while he tried to work through overcoming the grief.

How Cloud landed Euphoria role 

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 had a supporting role in his first film, “The Line,” a college drama starring Alex Wolff and John Malkovich that premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Festival. Cloud was recently cast to co-star in “Scream 6.” He’s also made cameos in music videos for Juice WRLD, Becky G and Karol G.

HBO condoles Cloud's demise

“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.” The third season of Euphoria hasn’t yet begun filming.

(With AP inputs)