Actor Dies Unexpectedly in Los Angeles
Rick Hurst, the actor famous for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg in the popular TV show The Dukes of Hazzard, sadly passed away at 79. His first wife, Candace Kaniecki, shared with TMZ that he died unexpectedly on Thursday in Los Angeles. The exact cause of his death has not been determined yet.
Ben Jones, who starred alongside Rick Hurst on the show, shared the sad news of Hurst’s passing on Thursday. On the Facebook page for Cooter’s Place museum, he wrote, “It just doesn’t feel right that Rick Hurst is gone this afternoon. When something so surprising happens, it’s tough to take in, as people like to say these days.”
Career and Personal Background
Hurst was born in Houston, Texas, on New Year’s Day in 1946. He started his acting career with some success, including a role in the TV show “On the Rocks,” which he appeared in for 24 episodes between 1975 and 1976. However, his role in “The Dukes of Hazzard” made him famous. The show features the adventurous Duke brothers as they try to escape from the law in their fictional home of Hazzard County.
Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS show for three years, from 1979 to 1982. After that, he took on a new role in Amanda’s, an American version of the famous British comedy Fawlty Towers. Later, Hurst returned to his character, Hogg, in two TV movies: “The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!” in 1997 and “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazard in Hollywood” in 2000.
Extensive Acting Career
Hurst was a talented actor who appeared in over 70 movies and TV shows. Some of his well-known TV appearances include popular shows like “MAS*H,” “Happy Days,” and “The Partridge Family.” He also had roles in films like “Steel Magnolias” and “The Karate Kid Part III.” In addition, he was featured in classic movies such as “The Cat from Outer Space” and “History of the World: Part I.” His wide range of work included memorable roles in beloved series like “Little House on the Prairie,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “Family Matters,” making him a familiar face to many fans.
His latest project was the 2016 horror movie Return of the Killer Shrews. In this film, he acted alongside John Schneider, who used to co-star on the show The Dukes of Hazzard.
Family and Survivors
Hurst is survived by his first wife, Candace Kaniecki, and his two sons, Collin and Ryan Hurst, known for his role in “Remember the Titans.” Kaniecki, who married Hurst from 1969 to 1979, shared that his death was a surprise. Later, Hurst married Katherine Shelley Weir from 1981 to 1991.
Ryan Hurst, who is 49 years old, is the son of a well-known figure and has made quite a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He has been in 50 films and TV shows, and he is best recognized for his roles as Gerry Bertier in the 2000 movie “Remember the Titans” and Harry “Opie” Winston in the series “Sons of Anarchy.” Recently, Ryan honored his father by sharing a heartfelt post on Instagram. He included references to famous thinkers like Buddha, Sigmund Freud, Stephen Hawking, and David Hume in that post. What made his tribute special was that he presented it creatively, almost like a scene from a movie, with different characters speaking until the scene faded out.
Tributes and Remembrances
“I’ve known Rick for more than 45 years, and not a single moment went by without him making me smile or laugh. He was a professional comedian, but what stood out the most was his huge, caring heart,” said Jones. “He was a talented actor, a fantastic comic, and a great teammate,” Jones continued, reminiscing about how everything fell into place when Hurst became part of the “Dukes of Hazzard” cast.
“I may be alone in this, but I truly believe an afterlife exists. I imagine Rick up in Heaven alongside Jimmy Best, Sorrell Booke, and Denver Pyle, putting on the most hilarious show beyond the Pearly Gates,” he shared, mentioning other cast members from “The Dukes of Hazzard” who have passed away.
The official fan page for The Dukes of Hazzard shared some sad news: “We are heartbroken to say goodbye to Rick Hurst, the cherished actor who brought Deputy Cletus Hogg to life in The Dukes of Hazzard. To many fans, he felt like a member of the family. Off-screen, Rick was known for being kind and down-to-earth and for his love of engaging with fans at events nationwide.”
Rick was supposed to be at Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on July 3rd, but his visit has been postponed due to unexpected issues that came up.