Paul Causey Hurst (October 15, 1888 – February 27, 1953) was an American actor and film director.

Career

Hurst was born in Traver, California, of one quarter Cherokee and one quarter Seneca descent. In 1933 he performed in "Eve the Fifth" at the Beverly Hills Little Theatre for Professionals. Hurst is best remembered for two roles: as the Yankee deserter who trespasses at Tara and is shot by Scarlett in Gone with the Wind (1939); and his characterization of the drunken and sadistic vigilante Smith in The Ox Bow Incident (1943). However, he was most proud of his role as a crotchety, old rancher who refuses water to a Quaker family in the movie Angel and the Badman, until John Wayne's character convinces him to share the water. It was after this latter role that Republic Pictures signed him as the comic sidekick in Monte Hale's Western series. His last film was John Ford's The Sun Shines Bright.

Personal life and death

Hurst was married to actress Hedda Nova. He committed suicide on February 27, 1953.

Filmography

As actor

As director