Ben Jones, the actor and former U.S. congressman best remembered for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on "The Dukes of Hazzard," died Sunday at his home in Washington, Virginia, after a heart attack. He was 84.
His wife of more than three decades, Alma Viator, announced his death in a Facebook post, writing that she had lost "the love of my life" and that he had "passed from a massive heart attack," according to reporting by NBC News and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Jones played Cooter across all 141 episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard" from 1979 to 1985, part of an ensemble cast that turned the CBS action-comedy about two moonshine-running cousins in rural Georgia into one of the era's biggest television hits. He later reprised the role in reunion television movies and remained closely tied to the character for the rest of his life.
From Hazzard County to the House Floor
After the series ended, Jones turned to politics, running unsuccessfully as a Democrat for Georgia's 4th Congressional District in 1986. He won the seat two years later, defeating Republican incumbent Pat Swindall after Swindall was indicted on perjury charges, and served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1989 to 1993. He lost his 1994 reelection bid to Newt Gingrich after the district was redrawn.
Jones went on to co-found "Cooter's Place," a chain of "Dukes of Hazzard"-themed museums and gift shops that he and his wife opened in Sperryville, Virginia, in 1999, eventually expanding to additional locations. He also published a memoir, "Redneck Boy in the Promised Land," in 2007, and continued acting occasionally, including supporting roles in the films "Primary Colors" and "Joe Gould's Secret."
Tributes came quickly from former castmates. "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke opposite Jones for six seasons, called him "a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business," according to NBC News.
I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack.
Alma Viator, Ben Jones's wife
No public services had been announced as of Tuesday morning. Jones is survived by Viator and his children; further details on funeral arrangements were expected in the coming days.
