Ben Jones, actor who played Cooter in Dukes of Hazzard, dies at 84
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Ben Jones, the actor and former US congressman who played mechanic Cooter Davenport in "The Dukes of Hazzard," has died aged 84 following a heart attack. His wife, Alma Viator, announced his death in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying he had been resting at home in his favourite chair. Co-star Tom Wopat paid tribute on Instagram, calling Jones "a fine friend and a fierce advocate" of the entertainment industry and noting he was the latest member of the show's cast to be lost.
Jones appeared in 142 episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard" as an honorary member of the Duke family, alongside Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Sorrell Brooke and Waylon Jennings. After acting, he entered politics, winning Georgia's Fourth Congressional District by 20 points in 1988 and being re-elected in 1990, before losing the seat after redistricting in 1994 and subsequently being defeated by Newt Gingrich in his next race.
- "Dukes of Hazzard" actor Ben Jones dies at 84 of a heart attack
- Played Cooter Davenport; later served as a US congressman
- Lost congressional seat to redistricting, then a race to Newt Gingrich
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Ben Jones was best known for playing Cooter Davenport, the friendly garage mechanic, in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard, which ran in the early 1980s and became a cult favourite for its car chases and Southern setting. He appeared in 142 episodes alongside co-stars including Tom Wopat, John Schneider and Catherine Bach, and remained closely associated with the role for the rest of his life.
After his acting career, Jones went into politics, representing Georgia's Fourth Congressional District in the US House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. He won the seat comfortably in 1988 and was re-elected in 1990, before losing it after the district boundaries were redrawn in 1994 and later being defeated in a subsequent race against Newt Gingrich.
Jones died at 84 after suffering a heart attack at home. He is being remembered both for his long-running television role and for his subsequent career in public office, a combination that made him a notable figure in American popular culture and politics alike.
More coverage
- The Hollywood Reporter — Ben Jones, Cooter Davenport on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Dies at 84
- Deadline — Ben Jones Dies: Cooter On ‘Dukes Of Hazzard,’ Georgia Congressman Was 84
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Originally published by Variety as “Ben Jones, Actor Turned Politician Who Played Cooter Davenport in ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Dies at 84”.