‘Dukes of Hazzard' star Richard Hurst dead at 79
Richard Hurst, who starred as Deputy Cletus Hogg on the classic 'The Dukes of Hazzard' TV series, died unexpectedly Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 79.
His death was announced on the Cooter's Pigeon Forge Facebook page, a 'Dukes Of Hazzard' themed museum owned by his former co-star Ben Jones, who portrayed Cooter Davenport in over 140 episodes of the popular series.
No cause of death has been revealed.
4 Richard Hurst died unexpectedly Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 79.
CBS via Getty Images
Hurst was scheduled to attend a meet-and-greet at Cooter's Place, located outside Knoxville, Tenn., on July 3rd, but that appearance was delayed Thursday morning due to 'unforeseen circumstances,' according to the museum's page.
'I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing,' Jones wrote Thursday night.
'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.'
The duo worked on the Emmy Award-nominated show during the 1970s and 1980s.
'We have always thought of our Cooter's friends as 'Hazzard Nation,' Well, Hazzard Nation is sure going to miss Rick Hurst down here around 'Cooters,' but his presence will always be near us. Rest in Peace, old friend,' Jones added.
Hurst was born in 1946 on New Year's Day in Houston, Texas.
4 Hurst starred as Deputy Cletus Hogg on the classic 'The Dukes of Hazzard' series.
CBS via Getty Images
4 Hurst appeared in over 50 episodes of 'The Dukes of Hazzard.'
CBS via Getty Images
The comedic actor got his start by acting in a series of small guest roles on TV shows in the 70s, appearing in one episode of 'Gunsmoke' and playing a cook on 'Happy Days.'
Hurst's career started to take off when he landed a recurring role as Cleaver in the mid-70s sitcom 'On The Rocks.'
By 1979, he was cast as Cletus Hogg, a kind-hearted but clumsy deputy, on 'The Dukes of Hazzard' and appeared in 55 episodes of the show.
4 Hurst revived his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg in the 1997 television movie 'The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!'
CBS via Getty Images
Hurst continued to appear as a guest star through the 1980s and 1990s in shows like 'Steel Magnolias,' 'Melrose Place' and 'Family Matters.'
He revised his role as Hogg in the 1997 television movie 'The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!' and the 2000 TV movie 'The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazard in Hollywood.'
His most recent project was the 2016 horror flick 'Return of the Killer Shrews' alongside John Schneider, his former 'Dukes' cast mate.
Hurst is survived by his first wife, Candace Kaniecki, and his sons, Collin Hurst and 'Remember the Titans' actor Ryan Hurst.
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