Actor Rick Hurst, best known for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has died at age 79.
Hurst’s first wife, Candace Kaniecki, was the first to confirm his death to TMZ. His co-star Ben Jones also announced the news in a social media post, calling the Houston-born celebrity a “fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague.”
“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,” Jones wrote in part. “Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas.”
“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,” Jones continued. “Rest in Peace, old friend!”
Hurst had been set to visit Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge on July 3. On Thursday morning, the museum posted that the actor wouldn’t be there “due to unforeseen circumstances,” confirming Hurst’s plans to reschedule for a later date.
Rick Hurst is survived by Candace Kaniecki; his second wife, Katherine Shelley Weir; and his two sons, Ryan and Collin Hurst.
What movies, TV shows did Rick Hurst act in?
Rick Hurst had an impressive 30-year acting career, beginning with playing Brian in the 1988 horror/comedy “Brain Damage” and ending with an appearance in the hit drama series “Yellowstone” in 2019. In addition to “The Dukes of Hazzard,” his resume includes the following movies and television shows:
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ‘A heart as big as Texas’: ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ actor Rick Hurst dies at age 79
Reporting by Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
