Ben Jones, the actor best known for his role as Cooter Davenport on the television series “The Dukes of Hazzard,” died at his home in Washington, Virginia on Sunday. According to his wife, Alma Viator, Jones suffered a heart attack while preparing to watch the Atlanta Braves play baseball. Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton confirmed his death at age 84.
Jones gained prominence playing the mechanic character who assisted the Duke cousins throughout all seven seasons of “The Dukes of Hazzard” from 1979 to 1985. The show was a significant success for CBS and maintained its popularity through syndication and cable broadcasts. Jones described the series as a modern-day morality tale reflecting Southern values, and credited it with helping him overcome personal struggles including alcoholism and failed marriages. Co-star Tom Wopat praised Jones as an integral part of the show’s success and a fierce advocate for quality entertainment.
Following his acting career, Jones transitioned into politics, winning election to the U.S. House from a Georgia district in 1988 as a Democrat. He served two terms before being redistricted out of his seat. Colleagues noted that while he maintained a folksy demeanor, he took policy issues seriously and was known for occasionally diverging from his party on various matters, holding liberal positions on social issues and conservative stances on economic ones. After losing a 1992 reelection bid in his redrawn district, Jones ran again in 1994, ultimately losing to Republican Newt Gingrich. Jones later filed an ethics complaint against Gingrich regarding his use of tax-deductible donations, which resulted in a House reprimand.
Jones was born in North Carolina and studied acting and civil rights in college before beginning his entertainment career. Throughout his life, he maintained connection to his role as Cooter, opening multiple country stores in Tennessee and Virginia that featured memorabilia from the series. At public appearances, Jones continued to engage with fans and expressed his belief that the show’s appeal stemmed from its humor, action sequences, and family-friendly values.
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