Richard “Rick” Hurst, known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. He was 79.
His passing was confirmed by his first wife, Candace Kaniecki, to TMZ, though the cause of death remains undisclosed. Ben Jones, who portrayed Cooter Davenport on the show, also shared the news on his Facebook page for Cooter’s Place museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Jones noted he had known Hurst for over 45 years and that every moment was filled with laughter and smiles.
Born January 1, 1946, in Houston, Texas, Hurst graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Temple University. He started his television career in the 1970s, appearing in series such as “The Partridge Family,” “Gunsmoke,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Sanford and Son,” and “MASH.”
His first prominent role came in 1975 when he was cast as Cleaver in “On the Rocks,” an ABC sitcom set in a minimum-security prison that aired for 24 episodes from 1975 to 1976.
Hurst’s career took a significant turn in 1979 when he joined “The Dukes of Hazzard” cast. He first appeared as Deputy Cletus Hogg, introduced in the 11th episode of the series, as the bumbling cousin of Boss Hogg. The character quickly became popular with fans, as noted in a Hollywood Reporter article.
Deputy Cletus initially served as a temporary replacement for Enos Strate, who left for a spinoff series. Ultimately, Cletus became a permanent character, transitioning from a junkyard job to join the sheriff’s department. When Enos returned, the two shared deputy responsibilities through season five.
The series depicted the adventures of cousins Bo and Luke Duke as they navigated corrupt officials in fictional Hazzard County, Georgia. It was a major success for CBS, particularly during its Friday night slot. Hurst appeared in 55 episodes from 1979 to 1982, often involved in car chases with the Duke boys.
Jones mentioned that Hurst’s addition to the cast was seamless, occurring while Sonny Shroyer starred in “Enos.” He described Hurst as a talented actor and colleague who consistently brought joy to others, as highlighted in a CNN report.
In 1982, Hurst left “The Dukes of Hazzard” to join “Amanda’s,” an American adaptation of “Fawlty Towers,” starring Bea Arthur. The series lasted one season.
Hurst continued in television and film for many years. His film credits include “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings” (1975), “The Karate Kid Part III” (1989), “Steel Magnolias” (1989), “In the Line of Fire” (1993), “The Cat from Outer Space” (1978), and “Earth Girls Are Easy” (1988). He also appeared on TV shows such as “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perfect Strangers,” “The Wonder Years,” “Melrose Place,” and “The Guardian.”
He reprised his role as Deputy Cletus in two reunion TV movies: “The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!” in 1997 and “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood” in 2000. He frequently attended fan conventions and “Dukes of Hazzard” events nationwide.
Hurst was scheduled to meet fans at Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, from July 3–7. However, the museum announced earlier on Thursday that his appearance would be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. His death was announced hours later.
John Schneider, who played Luke Duke, paid tribute to Hurst on Facebook, describing him as a “remarkable force for humanity, sanity, and comedy,” adding that heaven is now a safer and more organized place.
The official “Dukes of Hazzard” fan page praised Hurst for bringing warmth and humor to his role, stating he was more than a character to fans—he was family.
Off-screen, Hurst was known for his humility and generosity. Jones described him as having a “heart as big as Texas” and emphasized that while Hurst was a professional comedian, it was his warm personality that truly defined him.
Hurst is survived by his two sons, Ryan and Collin Hurst, both of whom pursued careers in the entertainment industry.
Rick Hurst was preceded in death by several co-stars from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” including James Best, who portrayed Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane and died in 2015, along with Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg) and Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse).
Jones reflected on envisioning Hurst, along with Jimmy Best, Sorrell Booke, and Denver Pyle, delivering a comedic performance beyond the Pearly Gates.
Hurst’s career concluded with a role in a 2016 TV short titled “B My Guest,” marking the end of a career spanning more than four decades. Throughout his time in Hollywood, he remained committed to his craft and was beloved by fans and colleagues alike.
