Los Angeles, June 27 -- Actor Rick Hurst has passed away. He was 79.

The news of his demise was confirmed by his 'The Dukes of Hazzard' co-star Ben Jones, as per CNN.

"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," wrote Jones.

"I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas," he added.

"He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague," said Jones, who recalled how "everything clicked" when Hurst joined the "Dukes of Hazzard" cast.

Hur...