Latest news with #Cooter's
Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Rick Hurst, Cletus Hogg on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' and father of actor Ryan Hurst, dies at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known as dim-witted Deputy Cletus Hogg on the TV show 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died unexpectedly in Los Angeles. He was 79. '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,' actor and politician Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on 'Hazzard,' wrote Thursday evening on the Facebook page for Cooter's Place, a business themed to the show. 'I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg,' co-star John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on 'Hazzard,' wrote Thursday night on Facebook. 'You were [a] 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.' Hurst had been scheduled for fan meet-and-greet appearances July 3-7 at the Cooter's in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., according to the website for the store and restaurant, which has three locations. Cooter's called off the visit in a Facebook post early Thursday, saying the visit would be rescheduled due to 'unforeseen circumstances.' Born Jan. 1, 1946, in Houston and raised there, Hurst got started in acting quite early. 'When I was 5 or 6, acting kind of tapped me on the shoulder — literally,' he said on a COVID-era podcast a few years back with pop culture enthusiast Scott Romine. Hurst said he was at a Houston Public Library location with his mom when a man tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he wanted to be in a commercial for the library system. He did the spot, he said, 'and my pay was a chocolate soda.' After high school in Houston, Hurst studied theater at Tulane University in New Orleans, then got a master's in fine arts from Temple University in Philadelphia. All of his experience was on stage until he moved to Los Angeles. His first TV credit was for 'Sanford and Son' in 1972 and his final credit was for 'B My Guest,' a 2016 TV short. In addition to working on the first five seasons of 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which ran from 1979 to 1985, Hurst appeared on myriad shows including 'The Six Million Dollar Man,' 'Little House on the Prairie,' 'MASH,' 'Baretta' and '227' and the miniseries 'From Here to Eternity.' Hurst said on that podcast that he 'thanked God all the time' for the success of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' and its fandom. 'The stunt guys were the heroes of the show,' he said, 'and all of us in the cast knew that the first star on the show was the General Lee,' the orange 1969 Dodge Charger with a Confederate battle flag emblazoned on top, driven by characters Bo and Luke Duke, the latter played by Tom Wopat. Hurst was married twice, first to acting coach Candace Kaniecki, mother of actor Ryan Hurst, and then to Shelly Weir, mother of Collin Hurst. Ryan Hurst is best known for his roles as Opie on 'Sons of Anarchy' and Beta on 'The Walking Dead.'
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who Was Rick Hurst? Exploring Life and Career Amid The Dukes of Hazzard Actor's Passing Away at 79
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death. Rick Hurst, known for his role in The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 79. The unfortunate news was announced on the actor's Instagram account, where his team shared a picture and paid a special tribute to the star. The statement dropped on social media read, 'To fans, he was more than a character—he was family. His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing, and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter.' It further stated, 'Offscreen, Rick was known for his generosity, humility, and love for connecting with fans at events across the country. Whether it was a reunion special or a meet-and-greet at Cooter's, he never stopped sharing his joy with the people who adored him.' Meanwhile, the actor's death came days after he canceled making an appearance at the Cooter's Place Museum. Exploring life and career of Rick Hurst Born as Richard Douglas Hurst in Houston in 1946, the actor stepped into the field of acting right after graduating from Temple University in 1970. He made his onscreen debut in a 1971 episode of The Doris Day Show. Later on, the late TV star made his appearance on Sanford and Son and The Partridge Family. The following year, the actor also landed a role in the film The Unholy Rollers. Before leaving a mark in the industry with his significant role as Cletus in The Dukes of Hazzard, Hurst went on to star as a prisoner named Cleaver in the ABC show On the Rocks. As his character, Cletus, the actor made his first appearance on the show in the 11th episode. The actor starred alongside Tom Wopat, John Schneider, and Catherine Bach, and the series went on to be a massive success on CBS. Other notable titles to Rick Hurst's name include W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings, Tunnel Vision, The Cat From Outer Space, Earth Girls Are Easy, The Karate Kid Part III, In the Line of Fire, and Steel Magnolias.
