Angus Cloud’s family and friends are remembering the spirit of the late “Euphoria” actor.
“I don’t think a spirit like his could be defined,” Zendaya told People’s Danielle Bacher in an interview over email. “He was one of the most unique and pure-hearted people I’ve ever met. I hope he knows how loved he is, how much we miss him and how much better the world is for having felt his glow.”
Cloud died on July 31 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines, according to the Alameda County Coroner’s Office.
“It was predominantly the central nervous system depressants. It started to slow his heart and slow his breathing,” his mother Lisa said. “He got tired from lack of oxygen. Everything just slowed down, and eventually his heart stopped and he went to sleep. But he didn’t kill himself.”
Cloud quickly rose to fame after being handpicked to star as Fez, a lovable drug dealer, on HBO’s “Euphoria.” He starred alongside Zendaya as Rue, a young addict, on the first two seasons of the series.
“He felt like a little brother instantly; ironic because we played characters with the exact opposite dynamic,” Zendaya said. “I’m lucky because I got to experience the most beautiful parts of him. I got to watch him create and I got to watch him discover the fact that he was an actor.”
Sam Levinson, creator of “Euphoria,” revealed that “Angus was supposed to die at the end of the first season,” though he kept his character around because of how much he cared about him.
“The first thing I noticed about him was he had those Paul Newman eyes…and his audition tape where he said that his name was Angus Cloud and he’s ‘five foot 12.’ It killed me. He was perfect,” he said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I can’t kill him because then what is he to look forward to?'”
Levinson shared his multiple attempts at helping Cloud get clean, including several interventions and rehab stints. One day, the “Euphoria” creator sat with Cloud in his office.
“I looked him in the eye and I knew that he wasn’t doing well,” Levinson recalled. “At the same time I’ve been in these situations before where you’re trying to get someone clean. And I just said to him, ‘I love working with you and we’ve got this amazing season planned and stuff, but I need you to be sober because I got to be able to rely on you.'”
Cloud’s mother said he was prescribed opioid pain medication after falling into a construction pit and suffering minor brain damage at 15 years old, his first introduction to substances. After another injury cracked the calcaneus of his heel, Lisa thinks “that’s really what started his drug-seeking behavior.” Continuing to battle with addiction issues, Levison suggested rehab and continued to check in with Cloud while he was shooting Season 2 of “Euphoria.”
“I could always feel that he didn’t want [sobriety] as much as we all wanted it for him,” said Levinson. “That’s where it gets tricky because the whole world can want it for you. But he didn’t want it…But you can’t give up on people. I wasn’t going to let anyone give up on him.”
“I always knew he was special and I’m so glad the world also found out he was special,” said Lisa. “My son will always shine bright.”
