RICK Hurst, who was best known for his role in the top TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 79.
The actor鈥檚 death comes just days before he was set to make an appearance at a fan event.
Hurst died unexpectedly in Los Angeles on June 26, his family told TMZ
He played the cop Cletus Hogg in the show – the brother of the villain Boss Hogg – between 1979 and 1982.
The Dukes of Hazzard aired from 1979 to 1985 and there are seven seasons of the comedy series.
Hurst appeared in the 1997 movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, and the 2000 flick The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood.
During his TV and film career that spanned decades, Texas-born Hurst also appeared in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, and the 1993 flick In the Line of Fire.
During the 1980s, Hurst also appeared in shows such as Amanda鈥檚 and Murder, She Wrote.
Hurst made cameo appearances in shows such as Family Matters, Melrose Place and the Jeff Foxworthy Show during the 1990s.
He starred in the 1997 movie Runaway Car, which was directed by Jack Sholder.
One of Hurst鈥檚 last acting credits was in the 2012 movie Return of the Killer Shrews, which starred John Schneider.
Schneider also appeared in The Dukes of Hazzard.
Schneider has led the tributes to Hurst following his death.
“You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it.
“We鈥檒l keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again!”
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