Dakota Fred Hurt, the seasoned prospector who gained popularity on the reality TV show Gold Rush and made appearances in various spin-offs, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80.
His family shared the news through a statement on Hurt’s Facebook page. They expressed that he fought bravely in his battle against cancer and had a significant impact on many lives, receiving love and support from numerous people.
Hurt’s demise occurred four months after revealing his diagnosis of stage 4 brain cancer. At the time, he stated, “I’ve lived a rich 80 years filled with captivating experiences. If I overcome this dark prognosis, I’ll have another adventure to share with all of you.”
A self-taught gold miner, Hurt earned the nickname “Dakota Fred” due to his North Dakota roots. He was recognized for his enthusiasm on Gold Rush and his candid nature. After spending a decade in Alaska, Hurt managed to mine over $750,000 worth of gold from Porcupine Creek.
His television career began with Gold Rush and expanded to include Gold Rush: South America, Gold Rush: The Legend of Porcupine Creek, and notably Gold Rush: White Water, which debuted in 2018. The latter series followed Hurt and his son, Dustin, as they embarked on gold-seeking adventures in the depths of the Alaskan wilderness, braving the challenging elements alongside a larger crew.
The Gold Rush team paid tribute to Hurt in an Instagram post on Wednesday. They shared a photo of him with a smile, accompanied by the words, “The Gold Rush family is deeply saddened by the passing of Fred Hurt. His zest for life and thirst for adventure were contagious. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those who cherished him.”
‘Dakota’ Fred Hurt, star of Gold Rush: White Water, has passed away at the age of 80.
According to a statement from his family, Hurt lost his battle with brain cancer on Tuesday after a brief struggle.
“He displayed tremendous courage in his fight against cancer,” read the Facebook post from July 11. “Fred had a profound impact on many lives and was cherished and supported by numerous individuals.”
Born on July 10, 1943, in Minot, North Dakota, this TV personality rose to fame on the Discovery network, appearing in several successful reality TV shows that documented his quest and thrilling escapades in search of gold worldwide. Some notable programs include Gold Rush: South America and Gold Rush: The Legend of Porcupine Creek.
His most recent reality series, Gold Rush: White Water, began filming in 2018 and concluded this year. The show featured his son, Dustin, as they embarked on a journey with a team to discover gold in treacherous whitewater pools at the base of Alaskan waterfalls.