Rick Hurst, the affable actor greatest identified for taking part in Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, handed away on June 26, 2025, in Los Angeles on the age of 79. His demise was confirmed by his Dukes co-star Ben Jones.
A veteran character actor with a profession spanning 5 a long time, Rick made his mark from his TV debut within the early Nineteen Seventies by means of his iconic position on The Dukes of Hazzard. He’s survived by his sons, together with actor Ryan Hurst, who performed Gerry Bertier in Keep in mind the Titans.
Discover out extra about him under.
He Obtained His Begin within the Nineteen Seventies
Rick launched his profession within the early Nineteen Seventies, shortly touchdown visitor roles on fashionable sequence like The Doris Day Present, Sanford and Son, and The Partridge Household. His pure comedic chops and everyman presence helped him develop into a go-to character actor in Hollywood throughout that decade.
He Handed Away Unexpectedly
Rick died in Los Angeles on June 26, 2025, on the age of 79. His former spouse, Candace Kaniecki, informed TMZ that his passing was “sudden,” and no official reason for demise has been launched.
Ben shared a heartfelt message on the Fb web page for Cooter’s Place, the museum devoted to the present. “It doesn’t appear proper that Rick Hurst handed away this afternoon. When one thing so sudden occurs, it’s ‘tougher to course of,’ as the present expression goes,” Ben wrote.
Rick had been scheduled to look at a meet-and-greet on July 3 at Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, however had canceled as a result of he wasn’t feeling nicely. Alma Viator, who runs the museum along with her husband Ben, mentioned in a telephone interview on June 27 that Rick’s demise was “surprising to all of us, though we knew he wasn’t feeling nicely.”
He Was Beloved by His Co-Stars
Rick is remembered not just for his comedic timing and beloved performances but additionally for the kindness and heat he shared off-screen. Co-stars and followers alike are mourning the lack of a real expertise and a person described as having “a coronary heart as massive as Texas.”
“I’ve identified Rick for over 45 years, and there wasn’t a minute of that point he didn’t depart me smiling or laughing,” Ben wrote in his tribute. “Certain, he was an expert comic, however largely he simply had a coronary heart as massive as Texas.” He added, “He was a advantageous actor, a splendid comedian, and a splendidly supportive colleague,” recalling how “all the pieces clicked” when Rick joined the Dukes of Hazzard forged.
John Schneider, who performed Bo Duke, additionally shared his heartbreak, writing on Fb, “I simply this second heard concerning the passing of expensive Rick Hurst, a.okay.a. Cletus Hogg. You had been a outstanding drive for humanity, sanity, and comedy, my good friend. Heaven is a safer and extra organized place with you in it. We’ll maintain the race going and folks laughing till we meet once more! Love you.”
He Labored Steadily for 50 Years
After his success on The Dukes of Hazzard, Rick continued to work usually in each tv and movie. He made memorable visitor appearances on reveals like Alice, Mama’s Household, The Golden Ladies, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. His movie credit included roles in Metal Magnolias, Earth Ladies Are Straightforward, The Karate Child Half III, and Tank. Rick additionally carried out in regional theater, together with on the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre, and wrapped his on-screen profession with the 2016 TV brief B My Visitor.
He Was Ryan Hurst’s Father
Rick was the daddy of two sons: Ryan—greatest identified for his roles as Opie on Sons of Anarchy and Beta on The Strolling Lifeless—and Collin Hurst. Rick’s affect and help helped Ryan launch his personal profitable performing profession.
