Rick Hurst dies at 79: All on Dukes of Hazzard star's wives and children

Rick Hurst, beloved for his role as Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at 79.

Rick Hurst, the beloved actor best known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 79.

Rick Hurst, famed for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at 79. (IMDB)

His death was confirmed by his wife, Candace Kaniecki, who told TMZ that Hurst died unexpectedly on Thursday in Los Angeles. The cause of death has not been made public.

Hurst’s warm and goofy portrayal of Cletus made him a fan favourite in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Rick Hurst's family

Hurst was married twice. His first marriage was to Katherine Shelley Weir, with whom he had one son. Later, he married acting coach Candace Kaniecki, his second wife, who remained by his side until his passing.

He is survived by his two sons, Ryan and Collin Hurst.

Rick Hurst's career

Born on 1 January 1946, in Houston, Texas, Hurst spent a long time in television. He had guest roles on iconic series throughout the 1970s, including Sanford and Son, The Partridge Family, Gunsmoke, Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie, The Six Million Dollar Man, and MASH*.

Not only did The Dukes of Hazzard, but Hurst also went on to appear in Murder, She Wrote, 227, The Wonder Years, Family Matters, and Melrose Place, among others. On the big screen, he took on roles in films such as Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Anywhere But Here (1999).

His longtime friend and co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, wrote in a Facebook post, “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.”

“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 continued. “He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague.”

“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!” he concluded the post.