Ben Jones, famed for his role in ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ as the mechanic Cooter Davenport, passed away at 84. He suffered a heart attack at home in Washington, Virginia. His wife, Alma Viator, shared the news on social media. Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton confirmed Jones’ death.
Jones gained popularity as Cooter, a character who frequently helped the Duke boys, Bo and Luke, escape trouble. The show ran for seven seasons from 1979 to 1985. It depicted the Duke family striving to combat the corrupt Boss Hogg in the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia. After the show’s conclusion, Jones transitioned to politics. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from a district near Atlanta in 1988. He served for two terms before being redistricted out of his seat.
Born in North Carolina, Jones became involved in acting during college. He participated in numerous stage productions and had minor roles in TV and movies in the 1970s before landing his breakthrough role on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard.’ The show, which Jones described as a portrayal of Southern values, became a hit and continued its popularity through syndication and cable.
Jones credited the series with helping him overcome his destructive alcohol habits, which had affected his personal life. Reflecting on his time on the show, Jones likened the experience to being in a Beatles movie, noting its significant impact on his life.
Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, praised Jones as both a good friend and a strong advocate in the entertainment industry. Wopat expressed his condolences through an Instagram post, remarking that Jones would be deeply missed.
After his stint as Cooter, Jones entered the political realm with an earnest approach, maintaining his laid-back demeanor while taking his responsibilities seriously. Known as a Democrat who often defied party lines, he held liberal views on social matters and conservative views on economic issues. Despite losing his seat in 1992 due to redistricting, Jones ran for Congress again in 1994, facing off against Newt Gingrich. Following his defeat, Jones filed an ethics complaint against Gingrich, which eventually led to a reprimand and Gingrich stepping down.
Jones continued to embrace his role as Cooter, opening several ‘Cooter’s’ country stores in Nashville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and near his Virginia home. These stores offered a variety of ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ memorabilia, including T-shirts, key chains, insulated tumblers, and one of the original General Lee cars used during the show.
Jones remained active in public life, attributing the show’s lasting appeal to its humor, action, and family-friendly nature. In a 2001 interview at a car show, he remarked that the series embodied traditional American values by highlighting the triumph of the good guys.