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I forgot to mention 'On the Rocks'. Rick played one of the inmates in this prison-set sitcom in the mid-70s. It was based on the British sitcom 'Porridge', which coincidentally I'm watching right now. I've only ever seen a couple of clips of 'On the Rocks' - maybe it'll make it online one day. Here's the intro:

When I first met Rick, it was in the 90's, so the WWW was in its infancy. When I told him about HazzardNet's predecessor (the Hazzard County Sheriff's Department on Prodigy), he was excited there was a community of fans online still discussing and enjoying the show. He told me he'd be right back and when he returned, he handed me an enormous folder of 8x10s, several of them signed. That was very generous of him. I still have them packed away from the move, but when I find them (someday), I will scan them in and put them on the site. When I mentioned where I worked at the time, we had a connection there and he told me some amazing stories. We just had an awesome conversation. He was very personable and gracious. At the Dukesfest in '01, I got to do an impromptu square dance with him and Jimmie. Good times. I would've liked to have gotten to know him better, but my health and work situations over the years didn't permit me to get to events as much as I'd have liked.

I can’t believe it in a sense, but there it is. Rick Hurst has crossed the creek on that rainbow bridge, now not only reunited with his kinfolk, but also a lot of the Dukes family who’ve gone on before him. I’m saddened I never got to meet him, I think it would have been fun to know him. God bless y’all. Tom Duke

Dukes of Hazzard fans... I bring y'all sad news. Rick Hurst (Deputy Cletus Hogg) has passed away. 😢

Very sad to hear that Rick has passed away. I would have loved to meet him and get an autograph. He was only at Cooter's Place just this past Sunday. Rest in Peace Rick (Cletus) I hope you're with the rest of the Dukes cast that has gone over the rainbow bridge.

I take these things very hard since Dukes have been a big part of my life when they debuted in 1979 and these actors are truly family. I'm grateful for the HazzardNet because you folks can relate to the pain I'm feeling now. My condolences to all of you. There is a happy reunion in Hazzard Heaven today between Boss, Rosco and Cletus. But there are plenty of tears on Earth for those of us who loved Cletus/Rick. I just checked the family section in my notebook and there is not a whole lot of his family mentioned, except Boss of course. He made his first appearance in season 1 where he was called Boss's cousin. Cletus mentioned his Mama in season 2. He is called Boss's third cousin twice removed in season 3. Cletus mentions his Mama again in season 4.

Very sad to read this news this morning. As well as Dukes, I also remember Rick playing a phoney lawyer in 'M*A*S*H' who told Klinger he could get him out of the army. Until I looked up his filmography, I'd forgotten about his appearances in 'CHiPs' and 'Earth Girls Are Easy' - I might have to check them out later. I also read this morning that composer Lalo Schifrin has died at the age of 93. 'Mission Impossible' composer seems to be the headlines, but I remember him better for the soundtracks of 'Dirty Harry' and 'Bullitt'.

Is it true… I’m reading online that actor Rick Hurst (Cletus Hogg) has passed away? If so this is a tragic day!!

Yeah…after I first posted, I started seeing it stated everywhere. It is a very sad day!!

Yes, unfortunately it's true. Cooter's Place confirmed it on their Facebook page. He was scheduled for appearances. Yesterday, they said the appearances would need to be rescheduled. Today, they posted the news of his passing.

I was not expecting a punch to the gut today, but here it is. Rick was such a kind man. Made me feel right at home on the reunion sets. We had some great conversations. He loved to talk about his son. He was always a class act whenever we visited him at events.