Rick Hurst, who will forever be tied to the memory of Rick Hurst death his appearance in the cult television show The Dukes of Hazzard as Deputy Cletus Hogg died suddenly on June 26, 2025, in LA. He was 79 years. His former wife Candace Kaniecki confirmed the news and subsequently The Dukes of Hazzard official fan site, as well as, the Cooter’s Place museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee echoed the news.
A Career that Started with a Charm and Comedy
Hurst, whose birth name was Richard Douglas Hurst, was Rick Hurst death born in Houston, Texas on January 1, 1946 and received his undergraduate school degree at the Tulane University in 1968 and his Master of Fine Arts at the Temple University in 1970. He was guided by a renowned drama tutor Cecil Pickett and debuted on screen in1971 episode of The Doris Day Show.
In the following five decades, Hurst developed a prolific career on Rick Hurst death television and film. His friendly, humorous nature and simplicity made him shine in many characters in the entertainment industry.
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The Role That Made Him Deputy Cletus Hogg
Hurst was best known to perform the comedy but good-natured role of the Deputy Cletus Hogg who was the cousin of the villainous Boss Hogg. Cletus was initially introduced in the second season of Dukes of Hazzard of 1979 which focused on the escapades of the falling Duke boys in the southern Georgia country.
Cletus was first a one-time replacement of Enos Strate (Sonny Shroyer), then became a regular when Shroyer left the series to star in a failed spin-off. The character played by Hurst balanced clumsiness and commitment add value to the law enforcement aspect that was present in the county.
His character frequently found himself in car chases, slapstick or in the local pond and further gave the show delight and heart, serving as an addition to the CBS Friday night staple that television audiences loved and followed from 1979 to 1985.
TV Veteran and Audience Favorite
The career of Rick Hurst was not only limited to Hazzard County. His Rick Hurst death guest appearance in favorite shows was beyond count; some of the favorite shows included; Sanford and Son, MASH*, The Bob Newhart Show, Happy Days, Kojak, Little House on the Prairie and The Wonder Years. In his 197576 ABC sitcom On the Rocks, he portrayed a strange prisoner in a low-security prison.
Even after his network heyday, Hurst remained active in the fan community. He frequently attended conventions, Duke reunions, and signings at Cooter’s Place. Fans frequently praised him for his humility and kindness, describing him as warm, approachable, and genuinely grateful for his long-running support.
Life Offline
Hurst is married to Candace Kaniecki and they have one son namely Rick Hurst death Ryan Hurst who is also an actor in his career. Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy and Gerry Bertier in Remember the Titans are the best known roles of Ryan. A tradition of a Hurst performer on the screen was not the only thing that the elder Hurst left. He turned out to be a mentor and a helper of his son in his acting career.
Rick Hurst was to make a guest appearance in Cooter Place on one of the fan events on July 3-7. That appearance was called off the morning of June 26, under the pretence of unforeseen circumstances. At the end of several hours, his death was announced.
Big-Screen Appearances
Although best recognized as a TV actor, Hurst did act in a variety of popular movies. These films are The Cat From Outer Space in 1978, Earth Girls Are Easy in 1988, Steel Magnolias in 1989, The Karate Kid Part III, in 1989, and In the Line of Fire, in 1993. Most of these were minor parts, but his appearance in the stories could many times provide warmth and comic relief.\
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Inheriting and Influencing
The Dukes of Hazzard team composed a tribute post on Instagram writing, to the fans, he was more than a character, he was a family. It continued in the post, recalling his soft smile, his perfect timing as a comic, and the soft-hearted nature and remembering him as someone that brightened every scene and every interaction with a fan.
In 1997 and 2000 Rick Hurst reprised his Dukes of Hazzard role in reunion specials, resurrecting the magic he brought to the earlier series in the minds of the longtime fans. He is so popular today because it was this sincerity and humanity that he invested in his work.
