Latest news with #SanfordandSon
Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Rick Hurst, Cletus Hogg on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' and father of actor Ryan Hurst, dies at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known as dim-witted Deputy Cletus Hogg on the TV show 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died unexpectedly in Los Angeles. He was 79. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' actor and politician Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on 'Hazzard,' wrote Thursday evening on the Facebook page for Cooter's Place, a business themed to the show. 'I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg,' co-star John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on 'Hazzard,' wrote Thursday night on Facebook. 'You were [a] 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! Love you.' Hurst had been scheduled for fan meet-and-greet appearances July 3-7 at the Cooter's in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., according to the website for the store and restaurant, which has three locations. Cooter's called off the visit in a Facebook post early Thursday, saying the visit would be rescheduled due to 'unforeseen circumstances.' Born Jan. 1, 1946, in Houston and raised there, Hurst got started in acting quite early. 'When I was 5 or 6, acting kind of tapped me on the shoulder — literally,' he said on a COVID-era podcast a few years back with pop culture enthusiast Scott Romine. Hurst said he was at a Houston Public Library location with his mom when a man tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he wanted to be in a commercial for the library system. He did the spot, he said, 'and my pay was a chocolate soda.' After high school in Houston, Hurst studied theater at Tulane University in New Orleans, then got a master's in fine arts from Temple University in Philadelphia. All of his experience was on stage until he moved to Los Angeles. His first TV credit was for 'Sanford and Son' in 1972 and his final credit was for 'B My Guest,' a 2016 TV short. In addition to working on the first five seasons of 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which ran from 1979 to 1985, Hurst appeared on myriad shows including 'The Six Million Dollar Man,' 'Little House on the Prairie,' 'MASH,' 'Baretta' and '227' and the miniseries 'From Here to Eternity.' Hurst said on that podcast that he 'thanked God all the time' for the success of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' and its fandom. 'The stunt guys were the heroes of the show,' he said, 'and all of us in the cast knew that the first star on the show was the General Lee,' the orange 1969 Dodge Charger with a Confederate battle flag emblazoned on top, driven by characters Bo and Luke Duke, the latter played by Tom Wopat. Hurst was married twice, first to acting coach Candace Kaniecki, mother of actor Ryan Hurst, and then to Shelly Weir, mother of Collin Hurst. Ryan Hurst is best known for his roles as Opie on 'Sons of Anarchy' and Beta on 'The Walking Dead.'
Mint
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Rick Hurst Net Worth: Dukes of Hazzard actor dies at 79 — a look at his finances and legacy
Veteran actor Rick Hurst, widely remembered for his role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, died on June 26 at the age of 79. His death was announced by Cooter's Place, a museum dedicated to the Dukes franchise, where he was scheduled to attend a fan event just days later. The news was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. Known for his warm demeanour and comedic charm, Hurst had built a loyal fan base both on and off the screen. Following his death, interest has surged around his life and career, especially regarding his financial legacy. At the time of his passing, Rick Hurst's net worth was estimated at $500,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Though not as high as some of today's TV stars, Hurst earned steadily over decades through guest roles, commercials, and regular appearances at fan conventions-particularly those linked to The Dukes of Hazzard. Hurst began his television journey in the early 1970s, making guest appearances on shows like The Doris Day Show, Sanford and Son, and The Partridge Family. His big break came in 1975 with the sitcom On the Rocks, where he played Cleaver. But it was his casting in 1979 as Cletus Hogg that brought him widespread recognition. He remained on The Dukes of Hazzard until 1983 and returned for reunion specials in 1997 and 2000. At the time, the show was a ratings juggernaut, though television salaries had yet to reach today's blockbuster levels. Beyond Dukes, Hurst was seen in several popular shows, including Happy Days, MASH*, Gunsmoke, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Wonder Years. On the big screen, he appeared in films such as Steel Magnolias, The Karate Kid Part III, and Earth Girls Are Easy. In 1983, Hurst played Earl Nash in the short-lived ABC version of Fawlty Towers. Though the show was cancelled after only 10 episodes, it marked another chapter in his diverse career. Hurst is survived by his son, Ryan Hurst, known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead. Tributes from fans and peers continue to pour in, celebrating the life of a man whose charm and talent made him a beloved figure in American television. Rick Hurst had an estimated net worth of $500,000 according to Celebrity Net Worth. He was best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard. He passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 79.
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who Was Rick Hurst? Exploring Life and Career Amid The Dukes of Hazzard Actor's Passing Away at 79
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death. Rick Hurst, known for his role in The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 79. The unfortunate news was announced on the actor's Instagram account, where his team shared a picture and paid a special tribute to the star. The statement dropped on social media read, 'To fans, he was more than a character—he was family. His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing, and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter.' It further stated, 'Offscreen, Rick was known for his generosity, humility, and love for connecting with fans at events across the country. Whether it was a reunion special or a meet-and-greet at Cooter's, he never stopped sharing his joy with the people who adored him.' Meanwhile, the actor's death came days after he canceled making an appearance at the Cooter's Place Museum. Exploring life and career of Rick Hurst Born as Richard Douglas Hurst in Houston in 1946, the actor stepped into the field of acting right after graduating from Temple University in 1970. He made his onscreen debut in a 1971 episode of The Doris Day Show. Later on, the late TV star made his appearance on Sanford and Son and The Partridge Family. The following year, the actor also landed a role in the film The Unholy Rollers. Before leaving a mark in the industry with his significant role as Cletus in The Dukes of Hazzard, Hurst went on to star as a prisoner named Cleaver in the ABC show On the Rocks. As his character, Cletus, the actor made his first appearance on the show in the 11th episode. The actor starred alongside Tom Wopat, John Schneider, and Catherine Bach, and the series went on to be a massive success on CBS. Other notable titles to Rick Hurst's name include W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings, Tunnel Vision, The Cat From Outer Space, Earth Girls Are Easy, The Karate Kid Part III, In the Line of Fire, and Steel Magnolias.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Lynn Hamilton, veteran actor and dignified foil to Redd Foxx on ‘Sanford and Son,' dies at 95
Lynn Hamilton, an actor who made her mark on 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons' and appeared in 132 episodes of 'Generations,' the first Black daytime drama, has died. Hamilton died Thursday surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers, her former manager and publicist the Rev. Calvin Carlson said in an announcement Sunday on social media. 'Her passing marks the end of an era,' Carlson wrote, 'but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations.' Born Alzenia Lynn Hamilton on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Miss., and raised from age 12 in Chicago, she studied acting at the Goodman Theatre and later earned a bachelor of arts degree. She didn't see much success until she hit New York City, where she was in shows on Broadway and off and did Shakespeare in the Park. Hamilton was the first cast member onstage in the 1959 production of 'Only in America,' which featured a young Alan Alda at what is now the James Earl Jones Theatre. By the time the 1960s rolled around, she had joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre, where she met her husband, poet-playwright Frank Jenkins. They moved to Los Angeles in 1968 and by 1972 she had landed the recurring role of Donna Harris, actor Redd Foxx's nurse girlfriend and later his fiancée on 'Sanford and Son.' Makeup made her look older than she was, as Foxx — who died in 1991 — was eight years her senior. 'I like the show,' Hamilton said in an October 1972 interview. 'I think what the world needs is to laugh more and to love more and 'Sanford and Son' helps. On Friday night, when the show is on, I can hear the laughter coming at the same time from all the homes around me.' Hamilton told actor-singer-author Demetris Dennis Taylor, a.k.a. Big Meach (no relation to the Black Mafia Family founder), on his online talk show 'Dishing Tea' that she was chosen for the role from about '100 other actresses in Hollywood' who auditioned. She said raunchy comedian Foxx was 'impressed with my experience and he always said, 'You're so dignified' and 'I need somebody dignified opposite me.' 'He was aware of his, what, his earthiness, shall we say.' On 'The Waltons' she played Verdie Grant Foster, a character whose grandparents had been enslaved. Hamilton told Big Meach that Verdie was a role she was proud of because 'she proved that you can improve yourself at any time in your life. When we first see her ... she's a successful, accomplished wife and mother and had a good job and was well respected, but she couldn't read. And of course John-Boy [played by Richard Thomas] taught her how to read. ' Learning, Hamilton said, 'opened up a whole new world' for the character. The Verdie role recurred over the nine seasons the show ran. Hamilton won an NAACP Image Award for her 1984 performance in the original production of Christine Houston's play '227' at Marla Gibbs' Crossroads Theater in Los Angeles. She and Gibbs alternated in the play's female lead role. In 1985, she was proclaimed half of the 'most amusing twosome' in Celeste Walker's 'Reunion in Bartersville,' a play about members of a Black, small-town Texas high school's Class of 1933 who reunite 50 years down the line. Hamilton played nightclub owner Pollina, who brings along a 28-year-old spouse — the character's fifth husband. 'As a light vehicle for older black actors, [the play] runs like a well-tuned sports car,' The Times said in its review. Hamilton helped raise money in 1987 for skid row's Midnight Mission, joining in a benefit performance of Studs Terkel's 'Hard Times' at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Her castmates were Tyne Daly, John Lithgow, Martin Sheen, Ned Beatty, Barry Bostwick, Nan Martin, Doris Roberts and — wait for it — Little Richard. Husband and wife collaborated frequently, and as the new century began, Hamilton directed 'Driving While Black in Beverly Hills,' written by Jenkins. Set in 1970, it addressed racial profiling: The success and social status of the play's protagonist mean nothing to the police who target him and his companions because of their skin color. Hamilton had urged her husband to keep reworking a play he had started writing in 1968 about a wronged Black motorist. Fifteen drafts and 30 years later, that play became 'Driving While Black.' They found a producer in 2000 after a staged reading of the show, and that producer suggested Hamilton direct after learning that she had suggested elements of the reading that he liked. 'Under Lynn Hamilton's focused staging, the fine cast makes the play's earnest, often eloquent articulation of its issues affecting and persuasive,' The Times said in its March 2001 review of the show at the intimate Matrix Theatre on Melrose — though the critic also noted that the play's numerous lengthy speeches undermined its dramatic reality. 'Their partnership was a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication,' manager Carlson wrote Sunday. They also collaborated on the plays 'Nobody' and 'The Bert Williams Story.' Hamilton was still doing episodic TV into the 2000s, notching credits on 'NYPD Blue,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' 'Cold Case' and more after the turn of the century. Her many other acting gigs included roles in 'Dangerous Women,' 'Roots: The Next Generation,' 'A Dream for Christmas,' 'The Jesse Owens Story,' 'The Practice' and 'Lady Sings the Blues.' In an undated interview taped by her manager, she advised young performers to 'first and foremost, get proper training' in voice and diction. 'I'm amazed at the youngsters today. I can't understand what they're saying,' she said. 'Acting is a form of communication. You are trying to communicate to your audience what it is the playwright has given you to portray. And if I can't understand what you are saying, then everything is lost.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anne Burrell's death investigated as possible drug overdose: Report
(NewsNation) — Anne Burrell, the 55-year-old Food Network star who was found dead last week in her home in Brooklyn, could have died from a possible drug overdose, according to reports. A document obtained by the New York Times claimed that she was 'discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive, surrounded by approximately [100] assorted pills.' The medical examiner's office said on Friday that an autopsy had been completed but that the results were pending. Lynn Hamilton, actress best known for 'Sanford and Son,' dies at 95 Burrell was best known for hosting Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America,' but started her television career as a sous-chef to Mario Batali on 'Iron Chef America.' In January, it was revealed that Burrell was no longer the host of 'Worst Cooks in America,' and when asked about the change on Instagram, she reportedly replied, 'Honestly I don't know.' A 911 call report in the investigation of Burrell's death was obtained by People. According to the report, someone called just before 8 a.m., concerned about Burrell's well-being. When officers arrived, they found Burrell unresponsive. Despite claims of a potential drug overdose, the spokesperson for New York City's Chief Medical Examiner told Nexstar that her cause and manner of death were still pending. The report also shows that Burrell could have suffered from cardiac arrest. In a statement following her death, her family wrote, 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' Some celebrities also spoke out after her death. Chef Bobby Flay said in his Instagram story, 'The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)… a gift that I'll have forever.' Flay has a pet cat named Nacho. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
