Ben Jones, From `The Dukes of Hazzard` and Former U.S. Congressman, Dies at 84

Actor Ben Jones, best known for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on the series The Dukes of Hazzard (The Dukes of Hazzard), died on Sunday (9) at the age of 84. According to his wife, Alma Vitor, the actor suffered a massive heart attack while resting at home. “Ben had an amazing, rich, and full life. He loved and was loved by many. We will miss him dearly,” she wrote in a tribute posted on social media.

Jones played Cooter throughout the original series’ seven-season run, which aired between 1979 and 1985. The character owned a mechanic shop in the fictional town of Hazzard and became one of the main allies of cousins and protagonists Bo and Luke Duke. The actor reprised the role in the 1997 TV movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! and in the 2000 special The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood.

Outside of television, Jones also built a career in politics. After serving as president of the Georgia branch of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and of the Georgia Film Commission, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988, representing Georgia’s 4th district. Jones was reelected in 1990 and, during his time in Congress, served as a leader of the Democratic caucus and sat on the Veterans’ Affairs and Public Works and Transportation committees. In 1994, he left the House after losing an election to Newt Gingrich.

His death was also mourned by fellow The Dukes of Hazzard cast member Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke: “The Dukes lost another essential part of its cast today. Ben Jones was a great friend and a fierce advocate for the very best we have to offer in the entertainment world. We will miss him greatly,” the actor wrote on social media.