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Rick Hurst, Deputy Cletus of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Dies at 79Actor Rick Hurst, the fan-favorite best remembered as Deputy Cletus Hogg in the long-running CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at 79.
The news was confirmed Thursday by Ben Jones, Hurst’s co-star and longtime friend, who shared a tribute on social media through Cooter’s Place, the museum and fan hub dedicated to the iconic series.
“Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon,” Jones wrote. “He brought joy wherever he went and left us all smiling. He had a heart as big as Texas and a gift for making people laugh.”
Hurst joined The Dukes of Hazzard in 1979 and appeared in over 50 episodes as the well-meaning but often outwitted Hazzard County deputy. His portrayal of Cletus made him a beloved fixture in the show’s ensemble, especially among fans of classic TV comedy.
Prior to Dukes, Hurst found modest success on the small screen, including a recurring role in On the Rocks from 1975 to 1976. He later starred in Amanda’s, the American remake of Fawlty Towers, and made guest appearances on various TV shows throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. His final acting credit came in 2016.
Jones, who played mechanic “Cooter” Davenport on the series, reflected on Hurst’s lasting legacy: “He made people laugh until the very end. And because The Dukes of Hazzard still airs around the world, he’ll keep making people laugh for years to come.”
Hurst’s death marks the loss of yet another original cast member of the beloved Southern comedy, which debuted in 1979 and became a pop culture staple known for high-flying car stunts, country charm, and its orange Dodge Charger, the General Lee.
Details on funeral arrangements or cause of death have not yet been released.
