Beloved "Gold Rush" star 'Dakota' Fred Hurt has passed away at the age of 80, following a courageous battle with brain cancer. His family confirmed the news on Wednesday via social media, sharing that he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.

Hurt's family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and shared a link to the Mike Rowe Works Foundation, encouraging donations in his honor. Hurt, a skilled laborer for much of his life, was passionate about vocational training, making the foundation a fitting tribute.

Fans flooded social media with condolences and memories of the reality TV star. One fan described Hurt as an "incredible example" and expressed gratitude for having known him through the "Gold Rush" series. The official "Gold Rush" social media pages also shared a touching tribute, highlighting Hurt's contagious joy for life and adventure.

Hurt had publicly announced his stage 4 brain cancer diagnosis in March, responding to a headline with a simple, "Yup, it is true." Weeks later, he expressed gratitude for the immense support he received from fans, describing the impact of their well wishes as a source of strength and encouragement.

A self-taught gold miner, Hurt successfully mined in Alaska for over a decade, amassing over three-quarters of a million dollars in gold from Porcupine Creek with his son, Dustin. His popularity led to appearances in several "Gold Rush" spinoffs, including "Gold Rush: The Legend of Porcupine Creek," "Gold Rush: South America," and his own show with Dustin, "Gold Rush: White Water," in 2018.