Actor Rick Hurst, Known for His Role in "The Dukes of Hazzard," Dies at 79

Richard (Rick) Hurst, the actor famous for playing the lovable Deputy Cletus Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard, passed away on Thursday at the age of 79.

The news was confirmed to Fox News Digital by his co-star Ben Jones, who played mechanic Cooter Davenport in the series. "Rick was a great guy," Jones said. "Our show has been a success for over 40 years, and Rick was a big part of that… It was a shock and deeply painful to hear of his passing. He was just with us last week, and it was completely unexpected."

Jones also highlighted Hurst’s generous nature and comedic talent: "He was a wonderful person, kind-hearted, always making others happy. A fantastic comedian and actor." The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

In a post on the Cooter’s Pigeon Forge Facebook page—a museum dedicated to the series owned by Jones—the actor expressed his grief: "It doesn’t feel real that Rick Hurst is gone. When something like this happens so suddenly, it’s hard to process. I knew Rick for over 45 years, and in all that time, he never failed to make me smile or laugh. He had a heart as big as Texas."

Hurst was set to appear at a fan event in Tennessee before his passing. His co-star John Schneider, who played Bo Duke, also paid tribute: "I just heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, aka Cletus Hogg. You were a remarkable force for humanity, sanity, and humor. Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you there. We’ll keep the race going and the laughter alive until we meet again!"

Born in Texas, Hurst played Cletus Hogg in the late 1970s and reprised the role in the 1980s. Beyond The Dukes of Hazzard, he appeared in films like Steel Magnolias and In the Line of Fire, as well as TV shows such as MA*S*H*, Gunsmoke, and Sanford and Son.

He is survived by two sons, Ryan and Collin, from his marriages to Catherine Kaniecki (1969–1979) and Katherine Shelley Weir (1981–1991).

Hurst’s legacy as an icon of comedy and entertainment lives on among fans and colleagues.