Remembering Rick Hurst, The Heart of Hazzard County
I just heard the heartbreaking news—Rick Hurst, the beloved actor who played Deputy Cletus Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard , has passed away at the age of 79. Honestly, it feels surreal to say that out loud. For so many of us who grew up watching that classic show, Rick wasn't just a character on screen—he was a familiar face, a source of laughter, and a comforting presence.
Rick's passing was confirmed by his longtime co-star and friend, Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the show. Jones shared the news in a deeply emotional post on the Cooter’s Place Facebook page. He wrote about how hard it is to process something so sudden and unexpected—and I get that. Rick had that rare ability to make you smile even if you'd had the worst day, and Jones described him as having “a heart as big as Texas.” You could feel that warmth in every episode he was in.
He wasn’t just acting—he was living those moments with us. Rick appeared in 55 episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard between 1979 and 1982, and from the moment he joined the cast, it just clicked. You could tell. His portrayal of the dimwitted but loveable deputy made him a fan favorite almost instantly. Even after he left the show, that role followed him—not in a bad way, but as a reminder of just how much of an impact he had.
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Ben Jones said something that really stuck with me—he pictured Rick in heaven now, reunited with the other Dukes of Hazzard legends like Jimmy Best, Sorrell Booke, and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show ever behind those Pearly Gates. I can see that too. It’s a comforting image in a bittersweet moment.
Rick’s career included much more than just The Dukes . He had earlier roles in shows like On the Rocks and later appeared in other series and films, even making a final TV appearance in 2016’s B My Guest . But let’s be honest—it was as Cletus that he truly shined. That’s how most of us will always remember him.
He made people laugh, supported his co-stars, and never lost his genuine kindness—on or off screen. Rick Hurst may have left this world, but he’ll never leave our hearts. His spirit lives on every time someone laughs watching an old episode of The Dukes of Hazzard somewhere around the world.
Rest in peace, Rick. You sure made this world a little lighter.
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