Euphoria cast members and crew have paid tribute to actor Angus Cloud following his death.
The 25-year-old, who played drug dealer Fezco O’Neill in the hit HBO series, died on Monday.
He was said to have been struggling after burying his father in Ireland last week.
Cloud worked as a waiter before he was offered a part in Euphoria after a casting scout spotted him in a street in New York.
He was one of the breakout stars of the gritty teen drama, appearing alongside Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and Hunter Schafer in both seasons of the show, which launched in 2019.
The show also stars Zendaya, while rapper Drake (below) is an executive producer. Pic: Warner Media/HBO/Sky UK
Pic: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Fans saw him on screen most often in scenes alongside his partner in crime Ashtray, played by teen actor and boxer Javon Walton.
Walton shared a picture of the pair together on Instagram. In another post, he wrote: “Forever family.”
Canadian rapper Drake, who serves as an executive producer on the series, also shared a tribute. “Good soul,” he wrote, posting a picture of Cloud on Instagram.
Storm Reid, who plays Zendaya’s on-screen younger sister Gia Bennett in the show, wrote: “The tears just won’t stop.”
Meanwhile, Kathrine Narducci, who played Cloud’s on-screen grandmother Marie O’Neill, described Cloud as a “gentle beautiful soul”.
‘He was too special’
In a statement shared with US media outlets, director Sam Levinson said: “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.”
HBO also paid tribute, describing Cloud as “immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family”.
Other stars including West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler, Scandal star Kerry Washington, singer and actress Chloe Bailey, and British model and actress Suki Waterhouse are among those who have remembered the actor on social media.
US model Gigi Hadid, who starred with Cloud in a 2022 Christmas campaign for Ralph Lauren Fragrances, shared a clip of the pair dancing together. “I only got to work with him a couple of times, but I was immediately drawn to his kind, gentle spirit,” she said.
‘Angus doesn’t get enough credit’
When Cloud was approached to star in Euphoria he initially thought it might be a scam and was hesitant. However, he later met casting director Jennifer Venditti, as well as Levinson, and accepted the role.
In an interview with US entertainment outlet Variety in 2022, he addressed comparisons that had been made between him and his character.
“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.”
“Angus doesn’t get enough credit,” Venditti told the publication.
Euphoria has been a huge hit, with HBO saying it is the channel’s second-most-watched show since 2004, second only to Game Of Thrones.
In 2022, Twitter also said it was the most tweeted-about show of the decade in the US and that Cloud’s character had the most posts.
The actor was also recently cast to star in Scream 6.
His family said they hoped he would be remembered for “his humour, laughter and love”.
“Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,” they said in a statement. “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.”
:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK