Ben Jones, the actor widely recognized for his role as the mechanic Cooter Davenport in the popular television comedy The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 84. His death was confirmed by his wife of more than 30 years, Alma Viator, who announced the news on Facebook.
Viator shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a recent photograph of Jones with a dog, writing, “I lost the love of my life today.” She explained that the actor died at home on Sunday following a massive heart attack. According to Viator, Jones was waiting to watch his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, play against the New York Yankees when he suffered the fatal cardiac arrest. “Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much,” she stated.
Jones achieved widespread fame after being cast as Cooter Davenport, the sidekick to cousins Bo and Luke Duke, in the action-comedy series that aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985. His character, often referred to as an “honorary Duke,” became a fan favorite for his rebellious spirit and defiance of the law. The show was a significant success, with its first three seasons consistently ranking among the top 10 most-watched programs in the United States.
The actor appeared throughout all seven seasons of the original run and reprised his role for the 1997 television movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! as well as the 2000 follow-up, The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood. His connection to the show remained strong, and he maintained lasting friendships with his castmates.
Last year, Jones publicly mourned the loss of his co-star Rick Hurst, who portrayed Deputy Cletus Hogg. In a message posted to the Cooter’s Place museum Facebook page, Jones wrote, “It doesn’t seem right that Rick Hurst passed away. I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn’t a minute of that time that he didn’t leave me smiling or laughing … he just had a heart as big as Texas.”
Following the news of Jones’ death, Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, paid tribute on Instagram by sharing a photo of the two men on stage. “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.”
Beyond his acting career, Jones transitioned into politics. He was elected to the United States Congress in 1988, serving as a Democratic representative for Georgia’s 4th district from January 1989 until January 1993. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served as a Democratic whip and held positions on the Committee on Veteran’s Affairs and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. The report also notes that according to Nielsen Media Research, the first three seasons ranked in the top 10 most viewed television shows in the US.
Comments