Rick Hurst, the charming actor who touched the hearts of millions as the funny but caring Deputy Cletus Hogg on the classic television program The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at 79.
Rick's family has confirmed that he passed away on June 26th, 2025, saying he died unexpectedly in his home in Los Angeles just days before he was supposed to appear at a fan event in Tennessee. The family did not release a cause of death which leaves heavy feeling in the air.
It is just... sad.
This is not just another celebrity death. This feels very personal to many people - especially those who grew up seeing Rick's big-hearted smile every Friday night on CBS.
A Farewell Fans Didn’t See Coming
It's hard to wrap your mind around the idea of Rick still planning to meet fans next week. Just a few days ago, he was on the schedule at Cooter's Place - a museum dedicated to the Dukes show. He had been so excited, they said - he loved shaking hands, taking photos, and hearing about the stories from fans that still remembered his scenes.
Then suddenly, he was gone.
Social media has been ablaze with people sharing their memories, fan site HazzardNet posted:
"We’re heartbroken to announce that Rick Hurst, Cletus, has passed away… Please share your memories and keep the family in your thoughts and prayers."
We're heartbroken to announce that Rick Hurst, Cletus, has passed away. He was so kind to me when I visited the reunion sets and whenever we saw him at events. Please share your memories and keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/RjPEKbtEka
— HazzardNet.com - A Dukes of Hazzard Fan Site (@hazzardnet) June 27, 2025
Another fan shared on Instagram:
"Still can't believe it. Met him once. Nicest guy alive. RIP Cletus 💔 #RickHurst"
Even people who didn't closely watch the show remember the warmth of his smile, or how his character was always trying to do the right thing — even when it caused calamity.
Beyond the Badge: Rick’s Life Before and After Dukes
Many people knew him as Cletus, the well-meaning but often confused deputy always chasing the Duke boys around Hazzard County. But Rick Hurst was so much more than that.
-
He was born in Houston, Texas in 1946.
-
Earned a master’s in acting from Temple University.
-
Trained under respected acting coach Cecil Pickett (who also mentored Dennis Quaid and others).
-
Appeared in shows like Happy Days, The Partridge Family, and Gunsmoke before landing Dukes.
He even had a small part in Steel Magnolias and guest appearances in Murder, She Wrote and MASH*.
In real life, Rick was kind of like Cletus — soft-spoken, gentle, and humble. Not someone chasing attention. But when he stepped in front of a camera or onto a stage, he lit up the room.
His son, actor Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead), hasn’t made a statement yet, but fans are flooding his social media with support.
Why Rick’s Death Feels So Real
Maybe Rick reminded us of the simpler time when shows were more about family, mischief, and doing the right thing. Maybe it's because Rick never acted like a "big star." He was always accessible, and always smiling in fan pictures.
He didn’t go viral. He didn’t chase headlines. He just… showed up, gave his best, and connected with people.
At a time when most celebrities are curated and distant, Rick stayed grounded. Even in his 70s, he was attending fan conventions, signing autographs, and telling old set stories like it was yesterday.
That’s what makes this loss hit different.
Little-Known Facts That Make Rick Even More Special
Let’s take a minute to look at some things you might not know about Rick Hurst:
-
He voiced a character in the Return to Hazzard video game.
-
He reprised his Cletus role in reunion movies aired in the late '90s and early 2000s.
-
He once shared in an interview that his favorite fan letter came from a police officer who said he became a cop because of Cletus Hogg.
-
He kept every fan letter he ever received. Every single one.
-
Even at 79, he personally replied to emails sent through his website — no team, no assistant. Just Rick.
It’s little things like that which remind us what kind of person he was.
