Rick Hurst, actor from ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ and 'M*A*S*H', dies at 79
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rick Hurst, the actor best known for his role as the bumbling yet lovable Deputy Cletus Hogg on 'The Dukes of Hazzard', died on Thursday, June 26, at the age of 79.
His death was confirmed by his former wife, Candace Kaniecki. She told TMZ that Hurst died unexpectedly in Los Angeles and that his cause of death remains unclear.
Rick Hurst remembered for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg and his deep bond with fans
Rick Hurst left a lasting impression on fans with his portrayal of Cletus Hogg, the good-hearted deputy and second cousin twice removed of the conniving Boss Hogg on 'The Dukes of Hazzard'.
He first appeared in 1979 during the show’s 11th episode and became a regular through the early 1980s, especially while Enos Strate (played by Sonny Shroyer) starred in his own spinoff, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
A heartfelt tribute from The Dukes of Hazzard Instagram account honored the late actor. “To fans, he was more than a character - he was family. His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter,” the post read.
It continued, “Offscreen, Rick was known for his generosity, humility and love for connecting with fans at events across the country. Whether it was a reunion special or a meet-and-greet at Cooter’s, he never stopped sharing his joy with the people who adored him.”
View this post on Instagram
Cletus, a junkyard worker turned lawman, quickly became a fan favorite, often seen crashing his patrol car into ponds in pursuit of the Duke boys. When Enos returned to Hazzard County after his spinoff was canceled, the two characters shared deputy duties until Season five. Hurst reprised the role for reunion specials in 1997 and 2000.
Beyond the screen, Hurst was deeply appreciated for his warmth and humility.
“Offscreen, Rick was known for his generosity, humility and love for connecting with fans at events across the country,” the Cooter’s Place museum’s statement read. “Whether it was a reunion special or a meet-and-greet at Cooter’s, he never stopped sharing his joy with the people who adored him.”
His July 3 to July 7 appearance at Cooter’s Place had been widely anticipated by fans until its last-minute cancellation.
‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ stars Ben Jones and John Schneider pay heartfelt tributes to late co-star Rick Hurst
Rick Hurst’s longtime friend and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on the 1979-1985 CBS series, confirmed the actor’s death in a Facebook post. Hurst had been scheduled to appear next month at Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
“It doesn’t seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is ‘harder to process,’ as the current expression goes,” Jones wrote.
He added, “I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn’t a minute of that time that he didn’t leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas. He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague. I had seen him in a Burt Reynolds movie called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and thought that he ‘stole the show,’ so when he showed up in Hazzard County during the time when Sonny Shroyer was doing the series Enos, everything clicked. He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon.”
His other co-star John Schneider, who played Beauregard "Bo" Duke on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’, wrote on Facebook, "I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg. You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend."
Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it. We’ll keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again! Love you," he added.
Rick Hurst's acting credits include 'On the Rocks' and 'Steel Magnolias'
Before 'The Dukes of Hazzard', Rick Hurst starred as Cleaver in the 1975-76 sitcom 'On the Rocks' and appeared in a wide range of TV shows including 'The Bob Newhart Show', 'Gunsmoke', 'Kojak', 'Happy Days', 'M*A*S*H', 'The Wonder Years', and 'Little House on the Prairie'.
Born Richard Douglas Hurst on January 1, 1946, in Houston, Texas, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a master’s in fine arts from Temple University. He studied acting under renowned drama teacher Cecil Pickett.
His film work spanned decades, including roles in 'W.W.' and 'the Dixie Dancekings' (1975), 'The Cat From Outer Space' (1978), 'Steel Magnolias' (1989), 'Earth Girls Are Easy' (1988), 'In the Line of Fire'(1993), and 'The Karate Kid Part III'(1989).
After leaving 'The Dukes of Hazzard', Hurst joined Bea Arthur in the short-lived 1983 sitcom 'Amanda’s', a US remake of 'Fawlty Towers'. The series was canceled after just 10 episodes.
