Television just lost one of its most beloved character actors.
The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment world and beyond.
And Bo Duke delivered heartbreaking news that left Dukes of Hazzard fans devastated.
Dukes of Hazzard star Rick Hurst passes away at 79
Rick Hurst, the veteran actor who brought Deputy Cletus Hogg to life on the iconic CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, died on Thursday afternoon at the age of 79.
The tragic news was first shared by his longtime friend and co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the beloved show.
Jones broke the devastating news on the Cooter’s Pigeon Forge Facebook page, where he poured his heart out about losing his dear friend.
"It doesn’t seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon," Jones wrote in an emotional tribute. "When something so unexpected happens, it is ‘harder to process’, as the current expression goes."
The cause of death was not immediately provided.
Hurst became a household name during his time on The Dukes of Hazzard, appearing in 55 episodes between 1980 and 1983.
His portrayal of the bumbling but loveable Deputy Cletus Hogg became a fan favorite and cemented his place in television history.
John Schneider pays tribute to his fallen co-star
John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the series, took to Facebook to share his own heartfelt tribute to his former castmate.
"I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg," Schneider wrote. "You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend. Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it."
Schneider’s message continued with a promise to honor Hurst’s memory.
"We’ll keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again! Love you," he added.
The bond between the Dukes of Hazzard cast members has remained strong decades after the show ended, with many of them continuing to appear together at fan conventions and reunions.
A Texas native who found his calling in comedy
Rick Hurst was a Houston native who discovered his passion for entertainment at an early age.
After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued advanced training in the performing arts to hone his craft.
Television beckoned in the early 1970s, and Hurst answered the call with appearances on some of the era’s most popular programs.
His comedic timing and natural charisma caught the attention of casting directors across Hollywood.
Shows like Sanford and Son, The Partridge Family, and Gunsmoke featured the talented performer throughout the decade.
Hurst also made his mark on Kojak and Little House on the Prairie, showcasing his versatility as a character actor.
Deputy Cletus Hogg becomes a television icon
When The Dukes of Hazzard needed a new deputy to fill the void left by Enos Strate’s departure for his own spinoff series, producers found their man in Rick Hurst.
The character of Cletus Hogg, Boss Hogg’s bumbling relative, provided the perfect comic relief for the action-packed series.
Hurst’s gentle approach to the role made Cletus endearing rather than annoying, a delicate balance that many actors struggle to achieve.
His frequent mishaps while chasing the Duke boys became some of the show’s most memorable moments.
Whether he was ending up in a pond or getting his patrol car stuck somewhere impossible, Cletus always brought a smile to viewers’ faces.
Ben Jones remembers a friend with a heart "as big as Texas"
Jones, who had known Hurst for over 45 years, shared touching memories of his friend’s character both on and off screen.
"There wasn’t a minute of that time that he didn’t leave me smiling or laughing," Jones wrote. "Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas."
Jones praised Hurst’s professionalism and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
"He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague," Jones continued. "When he showed up in Hazzard County during the time when Sonny Shroyer was doing the series ‘Enos’, everything clicked. He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon."
The longtime friends often appeared together at Dukes of Hazzard fan events over the years, with Jones running Cooter’s Place museums that celebrate the show’s legacy.
Life beyond Hazzard County
After his successful run on The Dukes of Hazzard, Hurst continued building his entertainment career with diverse projects.
He joined the cast of Amanda’s, a television adaptation of the British comedy Fawlty Towers, though the series had a brief run.
Television remained his primary focus, with guest appearances spanning multiple decades on various popular series.
Murder, She Wrote, Perfect Strangers, and The Wonder Years all benefited from his comedic talents.
More recent programs like Melrose Place and The Guardian also featured the seasoned performer.
Hurst returned to Hazzard County for two reunion projects, reprising his beloved Deputy Cletus role in the 1997 and 2000 television movies.
His final acting credit came in 2016 with a television short project, capping off a career that spanned more than four decades.
A family legacy continues in Hollywood
The entertainment industry remains in the Hurst family through his son Ryan, who has carved out his own successful acting career.
Ryan Hurst gained recognition for his powerful performances in critically acclaimed series like Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead.
The father-son duo occasionally worked together, including a 2012 horror film project that reunited Rick with his Dukes co-star John Schneider.
Their collaboration demonstrated the lasting friendships forged during the show’s original run.
Fans remember Deputy Cletus Hogg’s lasting impact
The Dukes of Hazzard fansite HazzardNet shared their own tribute on social media, expressing the heartbreak felt throughout the fan community.
"We’re heartbroken to announce that Rick Hurst, Cletus, has passed away," they wrote on X. "He was so kind to me when I visited the reunion sets and whenever we saw him at events. Please share your memories and keep the family in your thoughts and prayers."
Jones ended his tribute with a touching vision of Hurst’s afterlife.
"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 wrote, referencing other deceased cast members from the show.
The legacy of The Dukes of Hazzard continues to entertain new generations of fans around the world, and Rick Hurst’s portrayal of Deputy Cletus Hogg will forever be remembered as part of that timeless appeal.
Hurst leaves behind his family, including his sons Ryan and Collin, who will carry on his memory both personally and professionally.
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