Latest news with #HazzardNation
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘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.
Metro
10 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
