By Brandon Drenon, BBC News
Angus Cloud, who is best known for his role on Euphoria, has died at the age of 25. Photo: AFP / Chris Delmas
A star actor from HBO's hit series Euphoria has been pronounced dead, aged 25.
The family of Angus Cloud, who played a drug dealer named Fezco "Fez" O'Neill, made the announcement on Monday (local time).
"It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today," they wrote.
Cloud buried has father last week, according to family, and was in a "battle with mental health".
"The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend," the statement read.
"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."
The cause of death has not been given.
Cloud reportedly died at his family's home in Oakland, California, according to People magazine and TMZ.
"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," HBO said in a statement.
"We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time."
Cloud had minor roles in films, North Hollywood and The Line.
He also appeared in music videos for artists including Becky G, Karol G and Juice WRLD.
However, his career accelerated after taking on the role of Euphoria's Fez, a kind-hearted high school drug dealer.
The role turned Cloud into a "breakout star", according to The Hollywood Reporter, and his character was expanded in the second season.
According to a 2019 interview with GQ, Cloud had no real aspirations of becoming a star, or acting in general.
He was a former worker at a "chicken and waffle joint", according to the magazine, then one day he was unexpectedly stopped by an agent from a casting company.
"I was confused and I didn't want to give her my phone number," Cloud told GQ. "I thought it was a scam."
After first airing in June 2019, Euphoria quickly became a hit and by 2022 became the most tweeted-about TV show of the decade in the US.
The show has been described as one that explores teenage drug use.
The main character, played by Zendaya, is a 17-year-old who struggles with drug abuse, seen on-screen taking the deadly opioid fentanyl and injecting morphine.
In 2022, Cloud defended accusations that the show glorified drug use during an interview with TMZ.
- This story was first published by BBC.
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