‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star Richard Hurst Useless at 79

Richard Hurst — finest often called Deputy Cletus Hogg on “The Dukes of Hazzard” — has died … TMZ has realized.

His first spouse, Candace Kaniecki, tells TMZ … Rick handed away on Thursday in Los Angeles. She says his demise was surprising and presently, his reason behind demise is unclear.

Rick was scheduled to make an look at Cooter’s Place, Pigeon Forge in Tennessee on July third. On Thursday morning, the museum mentioned on Fb because of unexpected circumstances Rick was unable to seem and they’d reschedule.

Followers of traditional TV sequence will keep in mind Rick’s function as Boss Hogg’s cousin on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” a task he first performed within the late ’70s and reprised all through the 80s.

Rick racked up an extended record of TV and movie credit, showing in exhibits like “Sanford and Son,” “The Partridge Household,” “MASH*,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Bob Newhart Present.” On the large display screen, he popped up in classics like “The Cat from Outer House” and “Historical past of the World: Half I.”

His son, actor Ryan Hurst, is finest identified for his roles in “Sons of Anarchy” and “Bear in mind the Titans.”

Rick was 79.