Rick Hurst obit

Rick Hurst Dies: ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ & ‘Steel Magnolias’ Actor Was 79

 

He was not on the list.

Rick Hurst, the actor known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, has died. He was 79.

According to the actor’s wife Candace Kaniecki, he died unexpectedly on Thursday in Los Angeles, TMZ reported. His cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Hurst’s co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on the 1979-’85 CBS sitcom, announced his death on Facebook after Hurst was scheduled to appear at Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee next month.

“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 said in a statement. “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. I had seen him in a Burt Reynolds movie called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and thought that he ‘stole the show,’ so 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.”

Jones continued, “And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh! 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. 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 Cooter’s, but his presence will always be near us. Rest in Peace, old friend!”

Born Jan. 1, 1946 in Houston, Hurst had several TV roles on Sanford and Son, The Partridge Family, Gunsmoke, Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, The Six Million Dollar Man and M*A*S*H throughout the ’70s before landing the part of Boss Hogg’s cousin on The Dukes of Hazzard.

Hurst has also appeared in shows like Murder She Wrote, 227, The Wonder Years, Family Matters and Melrose Place, as well as movies like Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Steel Magnolias (1989), Anywhere But Here (1999).

 

Actor

B My Guest (2016)

B My Guest

TV Short

2016

 

Return of the Killer Shrews (2012)

Return of the Killer Shrews

2.9

Harold Rook

2012

 

The Guardian (2001)

The Guardian

7.4

TV Series

Frank Churchill

2003

1 episode

 

Venomous (2001)

Venomous

4.0

Video

Edgar Williams

2001

 

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997)

The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood

5.5

TV Movie

Deputy Cletus Hogg

2000

 

Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon in Anywhere But Here (1999)

Anywhere But Here

6.2

Reverend

1999

 

Daniel Benzali, Lori Loughlin, and Louis Mandylor in Suckers (1999)

Suckers

6.4

Texas Customer

1999

 

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997)

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

6.2

TV Movie

Deputy Cletus Hogg

1997

 

The Jeff Foxworthy Show (1995)

The Jeff Foxworthy Show

5.7

TV Series

Darren McBogue

1997

1 episode

 

Judge Reinhold in Runaway Car (1997)

Runaway Car

5.1

TV Movie

Pack

1997

 

Pistol Pete

7.6

TV Movie

Lem

1996

 

John Grisham and JoBeth Williams in The Client (1995)

The Client

5.8

TV Series

Officer Grindle

1995

1 episode

 

John Larroquette in The John Larroquette Show (1993)

The John Larroquette Show

7.2

TV Series

Richard

1995

1 episode

 

Melrose Place (1992)

Melrose Place

6.0

TV Series

Sydney's Client

1993

1 episode

 

Reginald VelJohnson, Jaimee Foxworth, Telma Hopkins, Rosetta LeNoire, Bryton James, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Jaleel White, and Kellie Shanygne Williams in Family Matters (1989)

Family Matters

6.6

TV Series

Santa

1993

1 episode

 

Clint Eastwood in In the Line of Fire (1993)

In the Line of Fire

7.2

Bartender

1993

 

Evening Shade (1990)

Evening Shade

7.0

TV Series

Nelson

1990

1 episode

 

Howie Mandel, Joel Brooks, Sheldon Feldner, Tom Poston, and Wendy Schaal in Good Grief (1990)

Good Grief

7.6

TV Series

Buckaroo Bob

1990

1 episode

 

Fred Savage, Olivia d'Abo, Danica McKellar, Jason Hervey, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Josh Saviano in The Wonder Years (1988)

The Wonder Years

8.4

TV Series

Harry

1990

1 episode

 

Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker in Perfect Strangers (1986)

Perfect Strangers

7.2

TV Series

Uncle Shaggy

1990

1 episode

 

Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, and Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias (1989)

Steel Magnolias

7.3

Bark Boone

1989

 

Marla Gibbs, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Alaina Reed-Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, and Hal Williams in 227 (1985)

227

6.7

TV Series

Bronco Bob

1989

2 episodes

 

Madeleine Stowe, Lesley Ann Warren, Mark Harmon, and Maria Holvoe in Worth Winning (1989)

Worth Winning

5.7

Big Bouncin' Bob

1989

 

Mothers, Daughters and Lovers (1989)

Mothers, Daughters and Lovers

5.5

TV Movie

1989

 

Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita in The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

The Karate Kid Part III

5.3

Announcer

1989

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.2

TV Series

Police Chief Slocum

1989

1 episode

 

Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)

Earth Girls Are Easy

5.5

Joe the Cop (as Richard Hurst)

1988

 

Sidekicks (1986)

Sidekicks

7.1

TV Series

Berglund

1987

1 episode

 

Robert Hays in Starman (1986)

Starman

6.7

TV Series

Charlie Ewing

1986

1 episode

 

Jackals (1986)

Jackals

5.3

Harley

1986

 

Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy in Blue City (1986)

Blue City

4.4

Redneck

1986

 

Ernie Hudson, Adam West, Randi Brooks, and Keenan Wynn in The Last Precinct (1986)

The Last Precinct

7.0

TV Series

Albert the Ape

1986

1 episode

 

Michael Landon in Highway to Heaven (1984)

Highway to Heaven

6.9

TV Series

Burt Morgan

1985

1 episode

 

Wildside (1985)

Wildside

7.7

TV Series

Floyd Fussell

1985

1 episode

 

Bea Arthur in Amanda's (1983)

Amanda's

5.2

TV Series

Earl Nash

1983

13 episodes

 

Catherine Bach, Ben Jones, Denver Pyle, John Schneider, and Tom Wopat in The Dukes of Hazzard (1979)

The Dukes of Hazzard

7.1

TV Series

CletusCletus Hogg

1979–1982

55 episodes

 

Danny DeVito and Tony Danza in Going Ape! (1981)

Going Ape!

4.1

Brandon

1981

 

Adrienne Barbeau, Dominique Dunne, Howard Duff, Lisa Hartman, Bill Daily, Dody Goodman, Christopher Knight, Stuart Pankin, and Mary Louise Weller in Valentine Magic on Love Island (1980)

Valentine Magic on Love Island

5.0

TV Movie

Robert Murphy

1980

 

Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox in CHiPs (1977)

CHiPs

6.5

TV Series

The Movie Director

1979

1 episode

 

Joey Aresco, Ilene Graff, and Harrison Page in Supertrain (1979)

Supertrain

4.5

TV Series

Lieutenant Boulder

1979

1 episode

 

Madam Sheriff

TV Movie

Brother

1979

 

Natalie Wood and William Devane in From Here to Eternity (1979)

From Here to Eternity

7.1

TV Mini Series

Pfc. Hanson

1979

3 episodes

 

Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill (1979)

Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill

6.0

TV Movie

Harry Whittaker

1979

 

Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus (1978)

Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

5.9

TV Movie

Timothy Stepwell

1978

 

The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The Cat from Outer Space

6.0

Dydee Guard

1978

 

Robert Blake in Baretta (1975)

Baretta

6.7

TV Series

Charlie

1977

1 episode

 

Alan Alda, David Ogden Stiers, Gary Burghoff, William Christopher, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, and Loretta Swit in M*A*S*H (1972)

M*A*S*H

8.5

TV Series

Capt. Schaeffer

1977

1 episode

 

Hagen Smith in The Legend of Frank Woods (1977)

The Legend of Frank Woods

4.5

Ace Starkey (as Richard Hurst)

1977

 

Rick Hurst in On the Rocks (1975)

On the Rocks

7.3

TV Series

Cleaver

1975–1976

24 episodes

 

Tunnel Vision (1976)

Tunnel Vision

5.0

Father

1976

 

The Blue Knight (1975)

The Blue Knight

6.8

TV Series

Detective Harriman (as Richard Hurst)

1975

1 episode

 

Keep Off My Grass! (1975)

Keep Off My Grass!

6.9

Grady Talbot

1975

 

W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)

W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings

5.9

Butterball (as Richard D. Hurst)

1975

 

Lee Majors in The Six Million Dollar Man (1973)

The Six Million Dollar Man

7.1

TV Series

Connors (as Richard D. Hurst)

1974

1 episode

 

Jodie Foster and Christopher Connelly in Paper Moon (1974)

Paper Moon

6.9

TV Series

1974

1 episode

 

Melissa Sue Anderson, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Richard Bull, Sidney Greenbush, Jonathan Gilbert, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush, and Katherine MacGregor in Little House on the Prairie (1974)

Little House on the Prairie

7.5

TV Series

Jacob Jacobsen (as Richard O. Hurst)

1974

1 episode

 

Chopper One (1974)

Chopper One

7.0

TV Series

Big John

1974

1 episode

 

Night Games (1974)

Night Games

7.2

TV Movie

Bart Kenedisis (as Richard D. Hurst)

1974

 

Louis Gossett Jr. and Paul Winfield in It's Good to Be Alive (1974)

It's Good to Be Alive

6.5

TV Movie

Ambulance Attendant (as Richard Hurst)

1974

 

Get Christie Love! (1974)

Get Christie Love!

5.4

TV Movie

Sgt. Tom Farrell (as Richard Hurst)

1974

 

Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, Tom Bosley, Erin Moran, Don Most, and Anson Williams in Happy Days (1974)

Happy Days

7.4

TV Series

Cook (as Richard D. Hurst)

1974

1 episode

 

Sally Field in The Girl with Something Extra (1973)

The Girl with Something Extra

6.6

TV Series

Bruno

1973

1 episode

 

Burt Lancaster, Will Geer, Paul Carr, and Robert Ryan in Executive Action (1973)

Executive Action

6.7

Used Car Salesman (as Richard Hurst)

1973

 

Telly Savalas in Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

Crew Cut Hostage (as Richard Hurst)

1973

1 episode

 

James Arness, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, and Dennis Weaver in Gunsmoke (1955)

Gunsmoke

8.1

TV Series

Mayhew (as Richard D. Hurst)

1973

1 episode

 

Kung Fu (1972)

Kung Fu

7.6

TV Series

Tubbs (uncredited)

1973

1 episode

 

Love, American Style (1969)

Love, American Style

6.8

TV Series

The Policeman (segment "Love and the Seven Year Wait")Bailiff (segment "Love and the Family Hour")

1973

2 episodes

 

The Bob Newhart Show (1972)

The Bob Newhart Show

8.1

TV Series

Maintenance Man (as Richard D. Hurst)

1973

1 episode

 

To Hell You Preach

(as Richard Hurst)

1972

 

The Doris Day Show (1968)

The Doris Day Show

7.2

TV Series

HerbieMechanic

1971–1972

2 episodes

 

The Unholy Rollers (1972)

The Unholy Rollers

5.4

Mover

1972

 

Cleavon Little, Joan Van Ark, Nancy Fox, Reva Rose, and James Whitmore in The New Temperatures Rising Show (1972)

The New Temperatures Rising Show

7.1

TV Series

Orderly

1972

1 episode

 

The Partridge Family (1970)

The Partridge Family

6.6

TV Series

Deputy Haynie

1972

1 episode

 

Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson in Sanford and Son (1972)

Sanford and Son

7.9

TV Series

Police Officer

1972

1 episode

 

Self

The $10,000 Pyramid (1973)

The $10,000 Pyramid

6.8

TV Series

Self - Celebrity Contestant

1976–1982

34 episodes

 

The $25,000 Pyramid (1982)

The $25,000 Pyramid

7.0

TV Series

Self - Celebrity Contestant

1982

5 episodes

 

Richard Dawson in Family Feud (1976)

All-Star Family Feud Special

7.4

TV Series

Self - Celebrity Contestant

1980

1 episode

 

To Say the Least

TV Series

Self

1978

1 episode

 

Shoot for the Stars (1977)

Shoot for the Stars

TV Series

Self

1977

2 episodes

 

Celebrity Bowling (1971)

Celebrity Bowling

7.3

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Stumpers!

8.0

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Break the Bank (1976)

Break the Bank

7.2

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond in Donny and Marie (1975)

Donny and Marie

6.2

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Walt Disney in The Magical World of Disney (1954)

The Magical World of Disney

8.3

TV Series

Dydee Guard (archive footage)

1982

2 episodes

 

Ernest Borgnine, Melissa Sue Anderson, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Jan Sterling, Alison Arngrim, Bonnie Bartlett, Ramon Bieri, Linwood Boomer, Eve Brent, Walter Brooke, Richard Bull, Sidney Greenbush, William Cort, Victor French, Ted Gehring, Robert Gibbons, Jonathan Gilbert, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush, Dabbs Greer, Kevin Hagen, Arthur Hill, Rick Hurst, Don Knight, Matthew Labyorteaux, Mark Lenard, Katherine MacGregor, Kent McCray, Hersha Parady, David Rose, Shane Sinutko, Charlotte Stewart, Karl Swenson, Brenda Turnbaugh, Wendi Turnbaugh, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Shawna Landon in Little House Years (1979)

Little House Years

8.0

TV Movie

Jacob Jacobsen (archive footage, as Richard Hurst)

1979

 

Alan Alda, David Ogden Stiers, Gary Burghoff, William Christopher, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, and Loretta Swit in M*A*S*H (1972)

M*A*S*H

8.5

TV Series

Schaeffer (archive footage, uncredited)

1978

1 episode