In July 2023, the world was shocked to hear of famous actor Angus Cloud’s passing. Cloud was a rising Hollywood star known for playing Fezco on the HBO series Euphoria. The media soon started reporting the details of his death, revealing that Cloud had died from a drug overdose. Let’s take a closer look at Angus Cloud’s history with drugs and how it resulted in his early passing at just 25 years of age.
Uncovering the Life and Career of Angus Cloud
Conor Angus Cloud Hickey was born and grew up in California. But he was of Irish descent, and many of his family still lived in Ireland. Cloud grew up with younger twin sisters, and both his parents were professors. Cloud attended the School of Production Design at Oakland School for the Arts, making him destined for a life in the arts.
Angus’ Euphoria role put him on the map as an actor. He had no acting experience before landing the role. Cloud had a natural talent, and the show’s popularity allowed him to see success in his career quite quickly. After landing the Euphoria Fez actor role, Cloud had other small acting parts in the films North Hollywood (2021) and The Line (2023). Additionally, he starred in music videos by Becky G, Juice WRLD, Karol G and Noah Cyrus.
Cloud was working at a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, when he was scouted by Euphoria casting director Jennifer Venditti. Cloud didn’t believe Venditti at first and thought it was a scam. The show’s directors had plans for Cloud’s character to have an even larger role in Season 3.
Tragedy Strikes: Understanding the Circumstances of His Overdose
Angus Cloud was found dead at his family’s home in Oakland on July 31, 2023. Just a week before his death, Cloud had attended his father’s funeral in Ireland. Once Cloud’s passing was released, several “close family sources” revealed that Cloud was having a lot of trouble processing his father’s passing and that it had made him suicidal. So, naturally, there was speculation that the death was a suicide.
But Cloud’s mother insisted that wasn’t true. In a Facebook post, Cloud’s mother said, “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.”
By September 2023, details of Cloud’s death were revealed, confirming his mother’s beliefs. Angus Cloud took drugs and accidentally overdosed. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office said Cloud passed from a multiple drug overdose from the “combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and benzodiazepines” and that the death was accidental.
Angus’ mother knew he used drugs recreationally and was still coping with his father’s death. But she also saw that he had plans for the future. She wrote, “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 help his mom emotionally and financially. He did not intend to end his life.”
The Impact of Addiction on Individuals and Their Loved Ones
Many people in Cloud’s life were aware of his addiction and tried to help him. Cloud had a serious skull injury in 2013 and was prescribed opioid painkillers to manage his pain. Sadly, he got hooked on opioids. It’s a story that’s all too common — it’s estimated 16 million people globally suffer from opioid use disorder (OUD).
Later, while filming Euphoria, Angus injured his heel. He refused treatment, even though he was walking with a cane, and his mother recalls that that’s when the “drug-seeking behavior started.”
The cast and crew of Euphoria noticed his downward spiral, too. During the filming of Season 2 of the show, creator Sam Levinson noticed Angus Cloud’s drug problem and encouraged him to go to rehab. HBO paid for Angus’ treatment in a 30-day inpatient program.
Sadly, this wasn’t enough for Angus, who quickly went back to drug use after being released from the program. Levinson had a second intervention during Season 2 and pleaded with the actor to get help. But Levinson could tell Cloud wasn’t in a place to accept it. Levinson said, “I could always feel that he didn’t want [sobriety] as much as we all wanted it for him … It’s just the self-destructive side of addiction, and it outweighs everything.”
Sadly, no one could seem to get through to Angus to make him see past his addiction. When his father passed, Angus was overwhelmed with grief. Despite traveling to Ireland for the funeral, Cloud didn’t actually attend the service because he was “too high.” And just a week later, he would pass as well.
Promoting Awareness for Substance Use and Mental Health
Addiction is a powerful disease, which can be clearly seen in Angus’ story. Angus had everything going right for him. He was picked off the street to be part of a massively successful show and was making a name for himself. He had loved ones around him who encouraged him to get sober and even paid for his treatment programs. But he couldn’t get past his addiction, and a traumatic event pushed his drug use to a dangerous level, ultimately costing him his life.
It’s essential to spread Angus’ message so people know the dangers of substance abuse. Addiction is treatable, and had Angus given a recovery program another shot, he might have found sobriety.
Cloud’s family released a statement that 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.”
Help is always available; you just have to reach out your hand and accept it.
Don’t Tackle Addiction Alone: FHE Health Can Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, the time to seek help is now. FHE Health is an addiction treatment center offering various programs to suit your needs. You can reclaim your life; let us help you take the first step. Contact us today to get started.
