Latest news with #CletusHogg
Fox News
33 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘The Dukes of Hazzard' actor Rick Hurst dead at 79
Richard (Rick) Hurst, an actor known for his role as the endearing Deputy Cletus Hogg in "The Dukes of Hazzard" is dead. He was 79. News of Hurst's death was confirmed to Fox News Digital by his co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport in the popular series. Hurst died on Thursday afternoon. "Rick was a great guy," Jones shared in his statement. "Our show has been an ongoing success for 40 years or so, and Rick was a big part of that … it was very shocking and hurtful to hear his passing. He was just with us last week, and it was unexpected." 'DUKES OF HAZZARD' ACTOR PROTECTED CO-STAR CATHERINE BACH ON RISE TO FAMEJones continued, "He was a great human being … good-hearted… generous … always a friend I would stick up for… he was in the business of making people happy. He was a wonderful comic and comic actor." The cause of death is unknown at this time. He also shared a statement on Cooter's Pigeon Forge Facebook page – a "Dukes of Hazzard" themed museum owned by Jones. "It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process', as the current expression goes," Jones wrote."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. Sure, he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas," his heartfelt tribute continued. The statement continued in part, "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!" "The Dukes of Hazzard" actor's death comes one week before he was set to make an appearance at a fan event in Tennessee, Fox News Digital has learned. Tributes continue to pour in, including from Hurst's "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star John Schneider. "I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg. You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend. Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it. We'll keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again! Love you," he wrote about his dear friend on Facebook. Hurst was born in Houston, Texas, and played the role of Deputy Cletus Hogg in "The Dukes of Hazzard" in the late 1970s. He later reprised his role throughout the 1980s. His other film credits include "Steel Magnolias" and "In the Line of Fire." Hurst has several television show appearances, including "Sanford and Son," "The Partridge Family," "M*A*S*H," "Gunsmoke" and "The Bob Newhart Show." The actor was married to Katherine Shelley Weir from 1981 until 1991, and his first wife, Catherine Kaniecki, from 1969 until 1979. Hurst is survived by two sons, Ryan and Collin. Ryan was born in June 1976 and is the son of Hurst and Kaniecki. Hurst welcomed Collin later with his second wife, Weir. Both sons followed in their father's acting footsteps, as Ryan appeared in "Sons of Anarchy" and Collin reprised his role in "Dukes" in 1997 and 2000.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Rick Hurst, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' star, dead at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the hit sitcom 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at age 79. His death was confirmed by Ben Jones, his co-star on the show, who posted a message on the Facebook page of the Cooter's Place museum, which is dedicated to the show, on Thursday. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' wrote Jones. '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. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas,' he added. 'He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague,' said Jones, who recalled how 'everything clicked' when Hurst joined the 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast. 'He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon. And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!' he wrote. 'I don't know about y'all but 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,' he said, referring to other 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast members who have died. 'Rest in Peace, old friend!' added Jones. Hurst had some success early in his acting career, including appearing in 24 episodes of TV series 'On the Rocks' from 1975 to 1976, but it was 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which follows the fast-driving Duke brothers as they attempt to outrun the authorities in the fictional Hazzard County, that made him a household name. 'The Dukes of Hazzard' cast "The Dukes of Hazzard "stars, left to right, Byron Cherry, Jeff Altman, Rick Hurst, Catherine Bach, John Schneider, and Tom Wopat, pictured in November 2023 (AFF-USA/Shutterstock via CNN Newsource) Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, before leaving to appear in 'Amanda's,' a US remake of the popular British TV series 'Fawlty Towers.' In the decades that followed, he appeared in various TV shows and movies, making his last appearance in a TV short called 'B My Guest' in 2016. By Jack Guy, CNN
CNN
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rick Hurst, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' star, dead at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the hit sitcom 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at age 79. His death was confirmed by Ben Jones, his co-star on the show, who posted a message on the Facebook page of the Cooter's Place museum, which is dedicated to the show, on Thursday. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' wrote Jones. '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. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas,' he added. 'He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague,' said Jones, who recalled how 'everything clicked' when Hurst joined the 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast. 'He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon. And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!' he wrote. 'I don't know about y'all but 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,' he said, referring to other 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast members who have died. 'Rest in Peace, old friend!' added Jones. Hurst had some success early in his acting career, including appearing in 24 episodes of TV series 'On the Rocks' from 1975 to 1976, but it was 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which follows the fast-driving Duke brothers as they attempt to outrun the authorities in the fictional Hazzard County, that made him a household name. Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, before leaving to appear in 'Amanda's,' a US remake of the popular British TV series 'Fawlty Towers.' In the decades that followed, he appeared in various TV shows and movies, making his last appearance in a TV short called 'B My Guest' in 2016.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Rick Hurst, Dukes of Hazzard actor, dies at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 79. His family confirmed that he passed away on June 26 in Los Angeles. The cause of death has not been made public. Born on January 1, 1946, in Houston, Texas, Hurst studied at Tulane University and Temple University before pursuing a career in acting. He appeared in various television shows from the 1970s onward, including Happy Days, MASH*, Gunsmoke, and The Wonder Years. His film credits include Steel Magnolias, The Karate Kid Part III, and In the Line of Fire. Hurst played Deputy Cletus Hogg in over 50 episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979 to 1983. He later reprised the role in two reunion television films released in 1997 and 2000. In recent years, he remained involved in fan events related to the series. At the time of his death, Hurst had been scheduled to attend a fan gathering at Cooter's Place, a venue dedicated to the Dukes of Hazzard franchise. Fellow cast members and former colleagues acknowledged his passing through public statements. He is survived by two sons, including actor Ryan Hurst, who is known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead. Memorial details have not yet been announced.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Who is Rick Hurst's son Ryan?
DUKES of Hazard star Rick Hurst passed away unexpectedly at the age of 79 on Thursday, June 26, 2025 — just days before he was set to appear at a fan event. Here we get to know his son Ryan Hurst, who followed in his father's footsteps to pursue an acting career. 3 3 On July 3, 2025, Rick Hurst was scheduled to make an appearance at Cooter's Place — a museum that houses an array of Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia — for a fan event. Prior to his passing, the venue had announced his appearance had been canceled. Paying tribute to Rick, Cooter's proprietor Ben Jones wrote on Facebook: "It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. "When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process', as the current expression goes." Ben added: "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 wonderful supportive colleague." Rick died unexpectedly in Los Angeles on June 26, 2025, his wife Candace Kaniecki told TMZ. He played the cop Cletus Hogg in Dukes of Hazzard — brother of villain Boss Hogg — between 1979 and 1982. The Dukes of Hazzard aired seven seasons between 1979 and 1985. Rick also appeared in the 1997 movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, and the 2000 flick The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood. Luke and Bo run from the cops in their iconic car in from Dukes of Hazzard During a film and TV career spanning decades, Texas-born Rick also appeared in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias (1989), In the Line of Fire (1993) and Runaway Car (1997). During the 1980s, he also featured in shows including Amanda's and Murder, She Wrote. Rick is survived by his son, Ryan, who is an actor in his own right. Who is Ryan Hurst? Ryan Douglas Hurst was born on June 19, 1976, in Santa Monica, California. He is the son of Rick Hurst and Candace Kaniecki, who is an acting coach. Growing up in a Hollywood family, Ryan was immersed in the entertainment industry from an early age. He attended Santa Monica High School and made his first appearances on TV as a teenager. His upbringing was shaped by his parents' involvement in acting and the performing arts. 3 His mother Candace runs an acting school, while his father Rick was a famous character actor — leading to Ryan's early start in the business. Acting career Ryan began his professional acting career in the early 1990s, landing a recurring role in the NBC series Saved by the Bell: The New Class. His most notable roles include: Remember the Titans (2000): Ryan's portrayal of American football player Gerry Bertier in this Disney sports drama earned him widespread recognition. Sons of Anarchy (2008–2012): Perhaps his most iconic role, Ryan played Opie Winston — a central character in the FX crime drama, earning him a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2011. The Walking Dead (2019–2020): Ryan joined the AMC horror series as the formidable Beta, further cementing his versatility as an actor. Other significant credits include roles in Saving Private Ryan (1998), We Were Soldiers (2002), The Ladykillers (2004), Outsiders (2016–2017) and Bates Motel (2015–2017). Family Ryan met his wife, Molly Cookson, in 1994. The couple married in May 2005 and together founded the production company Fast Shoes. Per IMDb, in April 2013, Ryan and Molly bought a 3,400 square-foot home in Woodland Hills, California for $1.71 million Ryan has also embarked on a his spiritual journey — he converted to Sikhism and adopted the name Gobind Seva Singh.
