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

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Paul Causey Hurst
Who's Who in the Film World, 1914
Born	(1888-10-15)October 15, 1888 Traver, California, U.S.
Died	February 27, 1953(1953-02-27) (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Reedley Cemetery
Occupation(s)	Actor, director
Years active	1912–1953
Spouse(s)	Hedda Nova (m. 1919; ? 19??)

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Hurst was born in Traver, California,^[1] of one quarter Cherokee and one quarter Seneca descent.^[2] He was raised on a ranch. He appeared in hundreds of films during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. However, he got his start painting scenery as part of the backstage crew during the silent movie era. By 1911, he was active in films as an actor, writer and director. He freelanced and worked for many of the movie studios, building a solid reputation for his work both on and off screen. In 1933 he performed in "Eve the Fifth" at a venue known for getting stage actors in front of movie talent scouts, Harold Lloyd's Beverly Hills Little Theatre for Professionals.^[3]

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);^[4] and his memorable 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.

Hurst was married to actress Hedda Nova.^[1] He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 1952,^{[citation needed]} and committed suicide on February 27, 1953.^[1] He is buried in Reedley Cemetery in Reedley, California.^{[citation needed]}