Richard ‘Rick’ Hurst, ‘Dukes of Hazzard’s Cletus Hogg, Dies at 79

Remembering Richard ‘Rick’ Hurst, Beloved ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Actor

Richard “Rick” Hurst, the actor widely recognized and beloved for his portrayal of Deputy Cletus Hogg on the classic television series “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has passed away. Hurst died on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Los Angeles. He was 79 years old.

News of his death was confirmed by his first wife, Candace Kaniecki, who told TMZ that his passing was unexpected. At the time of reporting, the specific cause of death remained unclear.

Just hours before the news broke, Hurst had been scheduled for an upcoming appearance. Cooter’s Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a “Dukes of Hazzard”-themed museum and store, announced on Facebook Thursday morning that Rick would be unable to attend a planned event on July 3rd due to unforeseen circumstances, with intentions to reschedule. Following the sad news, Cooter’s posted a heartfelt tribute on their Facebook page, expressing their heartbreak and noting, “Your love and memories will forever remain.”

Deputy Cletus Hogg: A Hazzard County Staple

To legions of classic TV fans, Rick Hurst was synonymous with Deputy Cletus Hogg, the sometimes-hapless cousin and enforcer for the corrupt Boss Hogg (played by Sorrell Booke). Hurst first stepped into the role in the show’s inaugural season in the late 1970s.

Cletus began as a recurring character, often seen alongside Deputy Enos Strate (Sonny Shroyer). When Shroyer departed for a brief period to star in his own spinoff, Hurst was promoted to the main cast for the third and fourth seasons, becoming a central figure in the Hazzard County Sheriff’s Department. Although Shroyer returned for the fifth season, Hurst remained a memorable part of the show’s legacy and reprised his role in subsequent reunion television movies, including “The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!” in 1997 and “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood” in 2000.

Fellow “Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider, who played Bo Duke, shared a touching tribute on Facebook, writing, “You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend. Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it. We’ll keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again!”

A Career Spanning Television and Film

While Cletus Hogg remains his most iconic character, Rick Hurst had an extensive career in Hollywood, with a long list of credits across both television and film, often typecast in roles as police officers or detectives.

His television appearances included guest spots on numerous popular series such as:

“Sanford and Son”
“The Partridge Family”
“MASH”
“Gunsmoke”
“The Bob Newhart Show”
“Happy Days”
“Little House On The Prairie”

“Murder, She Wrote”

On the big screen, Hurst appeared in a variety of films, including “The Cat from Outer Space” (1978), Mel Brooks’ “History of the World: Part I” (1981), “The Karate Kid” (1984) and its first two sequels, “Steel Magnolias” (1989), and “In The Line Of Fire” (1993). His last listed acting credit was a TV short in 2016. He also played the comical chef Earl Nash in the short-lived sitcom “Amanda’s.”

Rick Hurst was also the father of actor Ryan Hurst, known for his prominent roles in shows like “Sons of Anarchy” and the film “Remember the Titans.” He is survived by his first wife, Candace Kaniecki, and their son Ryan. He is also survived by son Collin Hurst from his marriage to Shelly Weir.

Rick Hurst’s passing marks the loss of a familiar face from a golden era of television, leaving behind a legacy cherished by fans of Hazzard County and beyond.