Richard Hurst, most recognized for his role in the original version of The Dukes Of Hazzard during the late 1970s and early ’80s, has passed away at the age of 79.

Hurst’s wife, Candace Kaniecki, shared the news with TMZ on Thursday. 

According to her, the television star died unexpectedly earlier on Thursday. 

So far, no cause of death has been reported.

Hurst rose to fame on The Dukes Of Hazzard as Deputy Cletus Hogg, who was the cousin of the show’s villain, Boss Hogg.

His passing occurs months following criticism from the show’s lead, John Schneider, who condemned ‘woke’ commentators and Warner Bros. after the series was removed from numerous TV schedules. Additionally, toy production of the iconic General Lee car was stopped due to backlash over the show’s frequent use of imagery and nostalgia linked to the Confederacy, which defended slavery.

Richard Hurst, most famous for his role in the original version of The Dukes Of Hazzard from the late 1970s and early ’80s, has died at 79; Hurst (left) is shown with fellow Dukes Of Hazzard stars (from left to right) John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Ben Jones, and Tom Wopat.

Hurst rose to fame on The Dukes Of Hazzard as Deputy Cletus Hogg, who was the cousin of the show’s villain, Boss Hogg; pictured in 1999 for The Dukes Of Hazzard: Hazzard In Hollywood