Ben Jones, the beloved character actor who brought Cooter Davenport to life across all seven seasons of The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at age 84.
Jones’ wife, Alma Viator, broke the news on social media, revealing that he suffered a fatal heart attack while relaxing at home — sitting in his favorite chair as he waited for a Braves game against the Yankees. His death came just three weeks shy of his 85th birthday. Tributes from castmates and fans followed swiftly, underscoring the deep affection he inspired throughout his career.
A Career That Stretched Far Beyond Hazzard County
While the role of Cooter — the affable, wrench-wielding mechanic and honorary Duke brother — defined Jones for millions of viewers, his professional reach extended well beyond that one iconic part. His credits included a supporting role in the Burt Reynolds film Smokey and the Bandit and an appearance on the long-running soap opera As The World Turns, among numerous other theater, television, and film roles.
After The Dukes of Hazzard wrapped, Jones pivoted to public service, winning election to the United States Congress and serving two terms as a representative from Georgia’s Fourth District. He later returned to acting while remaining active in political commentary, making regular appearances on programs including O’Reilly and Hardball and contributing written pieces to outlets such as the Washington Post, USA Today, and The Weekly Standard.
Castmates Pay Their Respects
Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke throughout the series, was among the first to publicly mourn his friend. “The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today,” Wopat wrote. “Ben Jones was a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business. He will be sorely missed.”
Across social media, Jones is being remembered as a “class act” who consistently made time for his fans — a reputation that speaks to a life lived as generously off-screen as the character he made famous.
