Rick Hurst Dies at 79: Beloved Dukes of Hazzard Actor Remembered

Rick Hurst was one of those actors you might not know by name right away but once you saw his face, you knew him. He played Deputy Cletus Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard. Folks who grew up watching that wild show remember him as the lovable sidekick who brought laughs without even trying too hard.

Rick passed away at 79 in Los Angeles. His wife, Candace Kaniecki, shared that it happened suddenly. The news hit many fans hard, but it hit his old friend Ben Jones the hardest. Ben, who played Cooter Davenport, poured his heart out on Facebook after hearing about Rick’s passing.

Ben said he knew Rick for over 45 years. That’s a lifetime of inside jokes, late-night shoots, and belly laughs. He remembered seeing Rick in a Burt Reynolds flick called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings. Ben thought Rick stole that whole movie. So when Rick showed up in Hazzard County, it all made sense. He just fit in.

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How Did Rick Hurst Become So Loved?

Rick wasn’t just Cletus Hogg. He was part of a big TV family that people welcomed into their living rooms every week. Before The Dukes of Hazzard, he popped up on shows like Sanford and Son and Gunsmoke. He made guest spots feel like main roles. That’s rare.

His resume is sprinkled with classics. The Partridge Family, Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, The Six Million Dollar Man, MASH*. All big shows. He left his mark on each one in his own goofy, heartfelt way.

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And who could forget Steel Magnolias? That movie alone connects generations. He also showed up in Earth Girls Are Easy, The Karate Kid Part III, and Anywhere But Here. He had a face that directors loved to see walk onto set. He brought a bit of Texas charm wherever he went.

What Made Him So Special?

Ben Jones described Rick’s heart as big as Texas. That fits. He was the kind of co-worker who made long days feel short. He didn’t hog the spotlight. He just made everyone laugh when they needed it most. Even when he wasn’t “on,” he was still on.

When Sonny Shroyer left The Dukes for the spin-off Enos, Rick stepped up. The show needed his warmth. He didn’t try to outshine anyone. He just gave fans a reason to smile. Even now, reruns keep playing worldwide. Somewhere, someone is watching Deputy Cletus Hogg mess up a simple chase and giggling about it.

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His friend Ben believes Rick’s doing the same in Heaven, cracking up with Jimmy Best, Sorrell Booke, and Denver Pyle. A little Hazzard reunion behind those Pearly Gates. Fans like to imagine it too. Maybe it makes losing him sting a bit less.

Rick Hurst didn’t chase fame. He just showed up, did the job, and made it fun. He was that familiar face that made a living room feel lighter. He left behind roles, laughs, and a big piece of Hazzard County that will always belong to him.

For many, he’ll always be Deputy Cletus Hogg. But for those who knew him well, he was Rick, the man who could turn any bad day around with just a grin. He’ll keep making folks smile every time an old episode rolls across the screen. And that’s not a bad legacy at all.