Rick Hurst, star of Dukes of Hazzard, dies at age 79
The sudden death of another cherished cast member has left fans of The Dukes of Hazzard in mourning. The beloved Deputy Cletus Hogg, played by Rick Hurst in the popular television series, passed away at the age of 79. Rick’s wife, Candace Kaniecki, told TMZ that Hurst died unexpectedly on Thursday, confirming the tragic news.
His passing occurs just one week before he was supposed to attend a fan gathering at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee’s Cooter’s Place, a museum with a Dukes of Hazzard theme.
The museum initially posted that the event had been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” but that post has since been taken down. Later in the day, the Nashville-based branch of Cooter’s Place posted a touching tribute to Hurst.
According to his wife, the exact cause of Rick’s death remains unknown.
The museum has since removed the post stating that “unforeseen circumstances” had caused the event to be postponed. The Cooter’s Place location in Nashville later that day shared a heartfelt remembrance of Hurst. Rick’s wife claims that the cause of his death is still a mystery.
On January 1, 1946, Rick Hurst was born in Houston, Texas. Passionately pursuing higher education, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in 1968. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from Temple University in 1970, just two years later. In 1979, he joined The Dukes of Hazzard during its infancy and immediately won over fans.
He added humor and heart to the small-town shenanigans of Hazzard County in his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg, cousin of the foolish villain Boss Hogg.
When fellow deputy Sonny Shroyer (Enos Strate) resigned to star in his own spinoff, Enos, he was elevated from a supporting role to a lead in Season 3. Hurst was reduced to guest roles upon Shroyer’s return in 1982, and he eventually left the show before its last two seasons. The stars of the show maintained an unbreakable relationship throughout the ups and downs of casting changes.
“After all these years, we’re still a family, which is very unusual,” co-star John Schneider stated in a 2014 interview. “Shows tend to end when they’re finished. I am really proud to be a part of the fact that the Dukes of Hazzard has not finished for the actors, crew, or fans. For Hurst’s coworkers and the hordes of fans who still adore the show, that close bond made his loss all the more devastating.
In Season 1, Hurst’s character Cletus was only Boss Hogg’s goon, but by Season 2, he was deputized and solidified his position in Duke history. In the TV films The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) and The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood (2000), he later rejoined with his co-stars, demonstrating that the fans’ passion for the program and its characters never diminished.
Hurst added humor and warmth to innumerable television performances over the course of his lengthy career. He made a distinctive mark on television history with roles ranging from minor roles on Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, and Sanford and Son to more significant roles in MASH* and The Blue Knight. Additionally, he played the role of the incompetent chef Earl Nash in Amanda’s, Bea Arthur’s brief comeback to sitcoms before to The Golden Girls.
Hurst’s credits were as striking on the big screen. He starred in movies such as Steel Magnolias (1989), The Karate Kid trilogy, The Cat From Outer Space (1978), Executive Action (1973), and In the Line Of Fire (1993). When co-star John Schneider blasted Warner Bros. and “woke” reviewers for pulling The Dukes of Hazzard off network schedules and stopping the manufacture of the program’s iconic car, The General Lee, as a toy because of its Confederate imagery, the show made news once more in recent months.
For the fans, however, The Dukes of Hazzard was always about fun, mischief, and a strong feeling of family rather than politics.
The series had a timeless quality about it. Its straightforward style, sparse use of profanity, and unadulterated joy made it a must-watch program for millions of people. The close-knit Hazzard family has lost another member. Hurst is survived by his wife, Candace, and his son, Ryan Hurst, who is a well-known actor in his own right and is most recognized for his roles as Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy and Gerry in Remember the Titans. Ryan also played significant parts in The Walking Dead, Bosch, and Bates Motel.
Fans worldwide are remembering Rick Hurst not only for the laughter he brought but also for being a part of something that has endured for generations, as the Dukes family grieves yet another loss — joining the late Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg), Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse), Waylon Jennings (The Balladeer), and James Best (Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane). Deputy Cletus, may you rest in peace. Without you, Hazzard County won’t be the same.
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