Rick Hurst, the beloved actor best known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on the iconic CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the age of 79 in Los Angeles. His death, confirmed by his first wife Candace Kaniecki to TMZ, has left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a gentle comedic presence who brought warmth and laughter to television screens for decades.
Hurst’s passing was officially announced by Cooter’s Place, a museum dedicated to The Dukes of Hazzard located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where he had been slated to make an appearance from July 3 to 7, 2025. The museum posted on Facebook that due to unforeseen circumstances, Hurst was unable to attend the event and that it would be rescheduled. Sadly, the scheduled appearance was to be one of his final public engagements.
Born Richard Douglas Hurst on January 1, 1946, in Houston, Texas, he pursued his passion for acting early, earning a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in 1968 and a master’s in fine arts from Temple University in 1970. His training under drama teacher Cecil Pickett, father of actress Cindy Pickett, helped hone his craft before he embarked on a prolific career in television and film.
Hurst’s television debut came in 1971 with an episode of The Doris Day Show. Throughout the 1970s, he became a familiar face on popular TV series, making guest appearances on Sanford and Son, The Partridge Family, The Bob Newhart Show, Kung Fu, Gunsmoke, and Little House on the Prairie. He also featured in episodes of MAS*H and Baretta, and held a regular role as Cleaver on the 1975-76 ABC sitcom On the Rocks, which centered on inmates at a minimum-security prison.
Hurst’s most enduring role came in 1979 when he joined the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard as Deputy Cletus Hogg, the good-natured but bumbling cousin of the corrupt county commissioner Boss Hogg, portrayed by Sorrell Booke. Initially appearing in the show’s 11th episode, Hurst’s character became a series regular during the second and third seasons, stepping into the deputy role when Sonny Shroyer, who played Enos Strate, temporarily left the series to star in the spinoff Enos.
Hurst’s portrayal of Cletus, with his trademark gentle smile and impeccable comedic timing, made him a fan favorite. His character was often involved in the show’s many car chases and comedic mishaps, frequently ending up in ponds or other humorous predicaments while pursuing the Duke boys. He remained a key part of the series until 1982 and reprised his role in two reunion TV movies: The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! in 1997 and The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood in 2000.
Following his departure from The Dukes of Hazzard, Hurst took on the role of Earl Nash, a bumbling chef, in the short-lived 1983 ABC sitcom Amanda’s, a U.S. adaptation of the British classic Fawlty Towers starring Bea Arthur. Though the show lasted only ten episodes, it marked a notable post-Dukes chapter in his career.
Hurst’s extensive television credits continued with guest appearances on shows such as Michael Landon’s Highway to Heaven, The Last Precinct, Murder, She Wrote, 227, Family Matters, Melrose Place, and The Wonder Years. His filmography includes roles in movies like W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), Tunnel Vision (1976), Disney’s The Cat from Outer Space (1978), Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Steel Magnolias (1989), and In the Line of Fire (1993).
Rick Hurst’s career spanned over five decades, but in the last 25 years, his appearances on TV and film became less frequent. Nevertheless, he remained a cherished figure at nostalgia events, where fans embraced him not just as a character, but as family. A post from the Dukes of Hazzard fan site HazzardNet.com captured this sentiment perfectly: “We’re heartbroken to announce that Rick Hurst, Cletus, has passed away. He was so kind to me when I visited the reunion sets and whenever we saw him at events. Please share your memories and keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, reflecting on their 45-year friendship: “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.” Jones added, “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.”
Offscreen, Hurst was known for his generosity, humility, and love for connecting with fans. As the Dukes of Hazzard Instagram page noted, “His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter.”
Rick Hurst is survived by his two sons, including Ryan Hurst, an accomplished actor recognized for his roles as Opie Winston on FX’s Sons of Anarchy and in Remember the Titans. Married and divorced twice, Hurst leaves behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and an indelible mark on American television history.
Though the cause of his death remains undisclosed, the unexpected loss of Rick Hurst has deeply impacted fans and colleagues alike. His portrayal of Deputy Cletus Hogg will continue to bring smiles to audiences around the world, a testament to his enduring charm and talent.
