‘Dukes of Hazzard’ actor was 79

Rick Hurst, the actor known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, died on Thursday. He was 79.

Hurst’s Dukes of Hazzard costar Ben Jones announced his death with a heartfelt tribute on the Facebook page of the show’s museum, Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Hurst was scheduled to make an appearance at the museum on July 3.

“It doesn’t seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon,” wrote Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on the CBS sitcom. “When something so unexpected happens, it is ‘harder to process,’ as the current expression goes.”

“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,” he added. “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.”

The actor recalled how “everything clicked” when Hurst joined Dukes in 1979.

“He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon,” Jones wrote. “And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!”

“I don’t know about y’all but I believe in an afterlife, and I can see Rick up there in Heaven with Jimmy Best and Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show inside those Pearly Gates,” Jones concluded his tribute, referring to other Dukes cast members who have died. “We have always thought of our Cooter’s friends as ‘Hazzard Nation.’ Well, Hazzard Nation is sure going to miss Rick Hurst down here around ‘Cooters,’ but his presence will always be near us. Rest in Peace, old friend!”

Hurst was born Jan. 1, 1946 in Houston, Texas. The late actor had some success early in his acting career, with roles on TV series such as Sanford and Son, The Partridge Family, Gunsmoke, Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, and M*A*S*H throughout the ’70s.

But it was landing the part of Boss Hogg’s cousin on The Dukes of Hazzard that made Hurst a household name. Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, and he reprised his role for two Dukes TV films in 1997 and 2000. 

Hurst also appeared in shows like Murder She Wrote, 227, The Wonder Years, Family Matters, and Melrose Place. He starred in movies such as Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Anywhere But Here (1999).

His last onscreen appearance was on a TV short titled B My Guest in 2016.

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The official Dukes of Hazzard fan page also paid tribute to Hurst on their Instagram.

“With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Rick Hurst, the beloved actor who brought warmth, humor, and unforgettable charm to the role of Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard,” the post’s caption reads. “Rick passed away today, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond Hazzard County.”

“To fans, he was more than a character –he was family,” it went on. “His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing, and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter. Off-screen, 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.”

The fan page concluded, “Rick’s passing is a profound loss, but his memory will forever ride shotgun in the hearts of those who grew up watching him, laughing with him, and loving him. Rest easy, Rick. You made the world a little lighter.”

Hurst is survived by his two sons Ryan Hurst, an actor who appeared on Sons of Anarchy throughout its run, and Collin Hurst.