How Did Angus Cloud Die? The Tragic Story Of His Death, Euphoria Cast Reactions & His Final Days
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It’s news that rocked Euphoria fans—indeed the wider entertainment community—when news broke of how Angus Cloud died on July 31, 2023.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential counseling.
Cloud—who is best known for starring as Fezco “Fez” O’Neill, a local drug dealer, in HBO’s Euphoria—was only 25 years of age when he passed. In an interview with Variety in August 2022, he revealed that it “bothers” him when fans compare him to his character, Fezco. “It does bother me,” he said. “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 brought a lot to the character. You can believe what you want. It ain’t got nothing to do with me.”
He continued, “I hope I did a good job. I ain’t tryna be like no one-trick pony. But if I did shit, then it is what it is. I don’t know how to act. I just do it. I’m in rooms with people that have been acting their whole life, and I’m like, ‘Why am I here?’ I got impostor-type shit.” Unfortunately, we’ll never see his magic again on-screen. Here’s what we know about Angus Cloud and his untimely death.
How did Angus Cloud die?
How did Angus Cloud die? TMZ first broke the news that Angus Cloud had died through speaking with his family. Variety later confirmed the same news. No cause of death was immediately given but later, TMZ and ET reported that Oakland PD responded to a 911 call made around 11:30 am on July 31, 2023, by Cloud’s mom, reporting a “possible overdose,” and said her son did not have a pulse. He was eventually pronounced dead on the scene.
“The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a death that occurred today, July 31, 2023, just after 11:30 AM, in the 200 block of Euclid Avenue,” the OPD said in a statement supplied to ET. “The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is unknown. There’s no additional information being released at this time. This is an active death investigation.”
In a separate statement, the Oakland Fire Department added, “This morning, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Oakland Fire was dispatched to the 200 block of Euclid Ave in Oakland for a medical emergency. Upon the arrival of Fire EMS personnel, the patient was determined to be already deceased. Per protocol, the body was left in the care of the police department and coroner. Cause of death is unknown. No further information from the Fire Department is available at this time.”
NBC and Page Six confirmed Angus Cloud’s cause of death on September 21, 2023. The actor died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and more. He alsos uffered acute intoxication from the combination of drugs which also included benzodiazepine, according to the Alameda County coroner.
The statement supplied by the family indeed suggested he was struggling to deal with the death of his father, which occurred a week prior. His dad, who passed away at age 65 after a battle with cancer, was buried in Ireland, in the family’s home village of County Meath. Cloud had just returned home to Oakland.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.” They concluded: “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.”
On August 15, 2023, TMZ reported that no suicide note was found, suggesting that his death may have been a tragic accident. “Multiple law enforcement sources involved in the death investigation tell us Angus did not leave behind a note when he died suddenly,” the tabloid reported.
His mom responds
In a Facebook post dated August 5, 2023, Angus Cloud’s mom responded to speculation on social media that her son’s death was suicide.
“Social media posts have suggested his death was intentional,” the actor’s mom wrote via Facebook. “I want you to know that is not the case.” She explained that he was making plans for the future and while he was deeply mourning his father, Cloud’s final days were happy.
“I want you all to know I appreciate your love for my family at this shattered time,” she continued. “I also want you to know that although my son was in deep grief about his father’s [Conor Hickey] untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one. He was reorganizing his room and placing items around the house with intent to stay a while in the home he loved. He spoke of his intent to help provide for his sisters at college, and also help his mom emotionally and financially. He did not intend to end his life.”
She then spoke of their final moments together. “When we hugged goodnight we said how much we loved each other and he said he would see me in the morning. I don’t know if or what he may have put in his body after that. I only know that he put his head on the desk where he was working on art projects, fell asleep and didn’t wake up.”
Lisa concluded: “We may find out that he overdosed accidentally and tragically, but it’s abundantly clear that he did not intend to check out of this world. His struggles were real. He gave and received so much love and support to and from his tribe. His work in Euphoria became a lightning rod for his generation and opened up a conversation about compassion, loyalty, acceptance and love.”
HBO reacts
In a statement on behalf of HBO, a spokesperson added, per Deadline: “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.”
Executive producer Drake made an Instagram story as a tribute to the 25-year-old actor. He posted a picture of the actor and called him a “good soul.”
In a statement to NBC News, Sam Levinson released a statement about the star’s death. “There was no one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon,” Levinson said. “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.”
Zendaya reacts
Zendaya, Cloud’s co-star in Euphoria as well as one of the show’s executive producers, wrote a touching tribute to her friend on Instagram on Tuesday, August 1. “Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus (Conor). I’m so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (I’m smiling now just thinking of it) I know people use this expression often when talking about folks they love…“they could light up any room they entered” but boy let me tell you, he was the best at it,” she wrote. “I’d like to remember him that way. For all of the boundless light, love and joy he always managed to give us. I’ll cherish every moment. My heart is with his mother and family at this time and please be kind and patient as grief looks different for everyone.”
Maude Apatow reacts
Maude Apatow, who starred opposite Cloud in Euphoria as Lexi—eventually Fezco’s love interest—honored her friend’s death on Instagram on August 2. “Angus was the funniest person ever. I would get so excited to see on the schedule that we would be working together because I knew we’d have the best day, laughing so hard. He was the sweetest and made everyone around him so happy,” she said. “He was just the best. Words can’t really capture how magical of a person he was. My heart is broken. Angus, getting to know and work with you was one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life. I will love you forever.”
“Fexi” was partly due to her IRL chemistry/friendship with her co-star. “When Sam and I were talking about all this stuff, just on the phone kicking around for hours, that came to be. I can’t remember specifically how that went down. Once we started talking about it, it totally made sense,” she told Entertainment Weekly in February 2022. “And Angus and I, in real life, have a funny friendship. It all just happened. It all felt right as soon as we started talking about it.”
She continued about where she would’ve liked to see the relationship go in season three, which we’ll tragically never get to see. “I think it is just very refreshing when the relationship feels so like innocent and sweet, like in the last episode they don’t even kiss. They just hold hands, and it’s building really slowly,” she said. “And I think in contrast to a lot of the things that happen on the show that are so extreme, it definitely stands out. But I love working with Angus. I think Angus is such a great actor, and we just have so much fun working together. So for selfish reasons, I hope we get to do more scenes together because it’s fun. He’s just a great partner. He’s so present and talented, and yeah, I just love working with him, so I totally would love to keep working with him.”
Javon “Wanna” Walton reacts
Javon “Wanna” Walton, who played Cloud’s on-screen adoptive little brother Ashtray on Euphoria, made two Instagram tributes on July 31, 2023. “rest easy brother❤️🕊️,” he captioned a post. He also made an Instagram story with the caption “Forever Family.”
Friends describe his final days
Family friend Mick Gleeson told the Daily Mail (in an article published on August 2, 2023) how deeply the death of Cloud’s father affected the actor, so badly that he couldn’t bring himself to be at the memorial service or cremation. “He was just so traumatized that he could not attend. He was in a very bad way and in total shock. He was in such a fragile state and struggling with the death of his father,” he said. “He was like a rabbit caught in the headlights and was just unable to come to terms with his loss. I sat down with him and said he was now the man of the family, and he just could not handle it. He was a broken man.”
Another friend added: “I think coming back to his father’s place of birth and all that contained was just too much for him. He could not face the final goodbye to his father. It is awful that he felt so overcome that his own life has come to an end.”
His cousin Gerald Hough, who runs a pub in Banagher County Offaly, told MailOnline: “We are all deeply saddened at the loss of Angus, leaving behind so many broken-hearted family and friends. He was an immense talent and kindhearted soul he will be missed by all of us,” he said. “We shared a great night at J.J Houghs Singing Pub last summer at a family reunion and these are memories we will cherish forever. He was great craic and as Irish as you can get, he even shot a scene with me for my annual Christmas ad for The Pub May he Rest in Peace.”
Angus Cloud’s last acting roles
In some of his final works on-screen, Cloud can be seen in The Line opposite Alex Wolff, Austin Abrams, John Malkovich and Scott McNairy, which was written and directed by Ethan Berger. He will be a lead in the independent horror flick Your Lucky Day, in Abigail, and in North Hollywood opposite Miranda Cosgrove, Nico Haraga, and Vince Vaughn. The Hollywood Reporter also confirmed that filming had wrapped on another thus-far untitled Universal film that was set for release in 2024 before being delayed by the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
“Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the project was at one point titled Dracula’s Daughter and centered on a group of kidnappers who abduct a band of young people, one of whom ends up being the titular character,” THR.com reported. “Villella is producing alongside William Sherak, Paul Neinstein and James Vanderbilt of Project X Entertainment. Tripp Vinson is also producing.”
Abigail is his final role on-screen, which premiered in cinemas on April 19, 2024. “A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire,” reads the synopsis. Cloud plays the character of Dean.
How Angus Cloud was discovered
In March, Cloud recalled being discovered on the street in Brooklyn, sharing, “I definitely thought it could be some kind of scam,” he told i-D. “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.”
He continued on his unexpected success: “The difference between me and everyone else who’s famous it’s that they were trying to go get famous, for the most part. They were working hard, and they were like, ‘I’m going to make it to the top’. For me, it was just like too good of an opportunity to say no to. I had no idea it would go this far.”
Why Angus Cloud has a scar on his head
In 2022, the up-and-coming actor revealed the scar on his head was caused by a skull fracture after he fell into a construction pit when he was a teenager. “I woke up 12 hours later at the bottom,” he told Variety. “I was trapped. I eventually climbed out after — I don’t know how long. It was hella hard to climb out, because my skull was broken, but my skin wasn’t, so all the bleeding was internal, pressing up against my brain. But they wasn’t gonna find me down there. I found myself. Or God found me, whatever you want to call it.”
He continued: “But I didn’t feel no pain,” he says. “I was in survival mode, you feel me?” After he escaped, his vision blurry, Cloud took the bus to his mother’s house. “Because I was a kid! I was 14 or 15. She thought I was on drugs, ’cause my pupils was hella dilated. I was trying to tell her what happened, but I could only start a sentence — I couldn’t finish it. So I was like, ‘I’m just gonna go sleep in my bed.’”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential counseling.
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