Fans of The Dukes of Hazzard are grieving the unexpected loss of another beloved cast member. Rick Hurst, who famously portrayed the lovable Deputy Cletus Hogg on the hit series, has died at the age of 79.
Rick’s wife, Candace Kaniecki, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ, sharing that Hurst passed away suddenly on Thursday. His death comes just one week before he was scheduled to appear at a fan event at Cooterâs Place, the Dukes of Hazzard-themed museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
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 Cooterâs Place posted a touching tribute to Hurst.
According to his wife, the exact cause of Rick’s death remains unknown.
âWeâre a family stillâ
Rick Hurst was born on January 1, 1946, in Houston, Texas. He pursued higher education with passion, graduating with a bachelorâs degree from Tulane University in 1968. Just two years later, in 1970, he went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree at Temple University.
He joined The Dukes of Hazzard during its early run in 1979 and quickly became a fan favorite. As Deputy Cletus Hogg, cousin to the bumbling villain Boss Hogg, he brought heart and humor to the small-town antics of Hazzard County.
While he began as a recurring character, he was promoted to a lead role in Season 3 when fellow deputy Sonny Shroyer (Enos Strate) left to star in his own spinoff, Enos. When Shroyer returned in 1982, Hurst was demoted to guest appearances, eventually stepping away from the series before its final two seasons.
Despite the ups and downs of casting changes, the bond between the show’s stars remained ironclad.
âWeâre a family still, after all these years, which is very unusual,â said co-star John Schneider in a 2014 interview. âShows have a tendency to end when theyâre over. The Dukes of Hazzard has not ended for the fans, and it has not ended for the cast or the crew, and Iâm very proud to be a part of that.â
That deep connection made Hurstâs passing all the more painful for those who worked with him and the legions of fans who still treasure the show.
The Karate Kid and Steel Magnolias
Hurstâs character Cletus may have started out as a mere henchman to Boss Hogg in Season 1, but he was deputized by Season 2 and cemented his place in Dukes history. He later reunited with his co-stars in the TV movies The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) and The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood (2000), proving the fansâ love for the show â and its characters â never faded.
Throughout his long career, Hurst brought warmth and wit to countless television roles. From small parts on Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, and Sanford and Son, to more substantial appearances in MASH* and The Blue Knight, he carved out a unique place in TV history. He also starred as the bumbling chef Earl Nash in Amandaâs, Bea Arthurâs short-lived return to sitcoms before The Golden Girls.
On the big screen, Hurst’s credits were just as impressive. He appeared in films like Executive Action (1973), The Cat From Outer Space (1978), The Karate Kid trilogy, Steel Magnolias (1989), and In The Line Of Fire (1993).
In recent months, The Dukes of Hazzard made headlines again when co-star John Schneider slammed Warner Bros. and âwokeâ critics for removing the show from network schedules and halting toy production of its iconic car, The General Lee, due to its Confederate imagery.
But for the fans, the essence of The Dukes of Hazzard was never about politicsâit was about joy, mischief, and a deep sense of family.
Mourns yet another loss
There was something timeless about the series. With its no-nonsense approach, minimal swearing, and pure, unfiltered enjoyment, it became a must-watch show for millions.
And now, another member of that tight-knit Hazzard family is gone.
Hurst is survived by his wife Candace and their son, Ryan Hurst â an acclaimed actor in his own right, best known for playing Gerry in Remember the Titans and Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy. Ryan also had major roles in Bates Motel, Bosch, and The Walking Dead.
As the Dukes family mourns yet another loss â joining the late Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg), Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse), Waylon Jennings (The Balladeer), and James Best (Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane) â fans everywhere are remembering Rick Hurst not only for the laughter he brought but for being part of something that has lived on for generations.
Rest in peace, Deputy Cletus. Hazzard County wonât be the same without you.
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