Latest news with #DukesofHazzard-themed
International Business Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
How Did Rick Hurst Die? 'Dukes of Hazzard' Actor Dies Suddenly and Unexpectedly Aged 79 Days Before Planned Fan Event
Rick Hurst, best known for his role in the original "The Dukes of Hazzard" series during the late 1970s and early 1980s, has died at the age of 79. His wife, Candace Kaniecki, confirmed the news to TMZ on Thursday. She revealed that the beloved television actor died suddenly earlier on Thursday. No official cause of death has been given. Hurst shot to fame for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on "The Dukes of Hazzard", where he played the cousin of the show's main antagonist, Boss Hogg. His death comes just a few months after one of the show's stars, John Schneider, slammed Warner Bros. and so-called "woke" critics. Sudden and Unexpected Death Schneider voiced his frustration after the show was pulled from several television lineups and the production of merchandise featuring the series' famous car, the General Lee, was halted due to backlash over the show's frequent use of Confederate symbols and its ties to a pro-slavery legacy. Hurst died just a week before he was set to appear at a fan gathering hosted by Cooter's Place—a Dukes of Hazzard-themed museum and store located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee—on Thursday, July 3, according to the venue's website. However, on Thursday morning, the museum shared a message on its Facebook page saying the event would be postponed, citing Hurst's unexpected inability to attend, as reported by TMZ. That original post now appears to have been removed, and the Nashville branch of Cooter's Place has since posted a short tribute in Hurst's memory. Hurst joined "The Dukes of Hazzard" in its debut season in early 1979, initially appearing as a recurring character for the first two seasons. He played Deputy Cletus Hogg, a supporting role to Sonny Shroyer's Deputy Enos Strate. When Shroyer left the series to star in his own short-lived spinoff, Enos, his role was reduced to guest appearances in season three, and he was entirely absent in season four. From Supporting Role to Main Cast As a result, Hurst was promoted to the main cast during that time to fill the void left by Shroyer. In 1982, Shroyer returned as a main cast member for the show's fifth season, leading to Hurst being moved back to a guest role. He did not appear in the final two seasons of the series. However, both actors returned to reprise their roles in the 1997 TV film "The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!" and again in the 2000 follow-up, "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood." In the first season of "The Dukes of Hazzard", Hurst's character was primarily as a sidekick to his cousin, Boss Hogg. It wasn't until the second season that Cletus was officially made a deputy. After his role was downgraded in The Dukes of Hazzard, Hurst moved on to the sitcom "Amanda's", which starred Bea Arthur. The show was an American adaptation of the British classic "Fawlty Towers", originally created by John Cleese and Connie Booth. "Amanda's" marked Arthur's return to television five years after the end of Maude, and it served as a transitional project before her time on The Golden Girls. The series was short-lived, canceled after just 10 episodes aired, although three additional episodes that had been filmed were later broadcast in reruns. Hurst portrayed the quirky chef, Earl Nash. Throughout his career, Hurst often played police officers or detectives on shows like "The Doris Day Show", "Sanford and Son", "The Partridge Family", "Get Christie Love!," and "The Blue Knight."
Metro
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Dukes of Hazzard star Rick Hurst dies 'unexpectedly' aged 79
Rick Hurst has died 'unexpectedly' aged 79. The Dukes of Hazzard actor, who is best known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on the iconic TV show, passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles just days before he was scheduled for a public appearance. As reported by TMZ, Hurst's first wife Candance Kaniecki told the outlet he died unexpectedly on Thursday, while his cause of death is unclear. Before his death, the actor was schedule to appear at the Dukes of Hazzard-themed museum and store at Cooter's Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. On Thursday morning, the museum made a since-deleted post noting that the event needed to be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. Now, the Nashville-based Cooter's Place branch has shared tributes on Facebook in honour of Hurst. 'Our hearts are broken!!! You will be missed,' a first post reads alongside a picture of the actor in character as Deputy Hogg. Cooter's Place owner Ben Jones – who played Cooter Davenport on the show and also runs the Dukes of Hazzard Museum, and founded annual fan event Dukesfest – shared his own lengthier post in memory of his late friend. '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,' he 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. He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague.' Ben said Hurst will 'continue to make us laugh' when people watch back his shows and movies, and that he will missed be everyone at the venue. 'We have always thought of our Cooter's friends as 'Hazzard Nation',' he continued. '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!' In 1979, Hurst originally started on Dukes of Hazzard in a recurring role, which his deputy character bumped up to main cast while Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate) was focused on shortlived spinoff Enos. He later appeared in the likes of Amanda's – a US remake of Fawlty Towers – as well as Sanford And Son, The Doris Day Show, M*A*S*H and Kojak. More Trending Other credits included iconic shows Little House On The Prairie, The Six Million Dollar Man and Murder, She Wrote. On the big screen, he appeared in Burt Reynolds' W.W. And The Dixie Dancekings in 1975, as well as The Cat From Outer Space, and 1984 classic The Karate Kid and its first two sequels. He is survived by his wife Candance and son Ryan Hurst, who followed in his father's footsteps with roles in Bates Motel, The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy and more. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home 'ransacked' by burglars during F1 promo tour MORE: Brian Wilson's cause of death revealed after Beach Boys icon died aged 82 MORE: Love Island star accused of sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend in front of their child
