Ben Jones, the actor who became a television favorite as mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard before serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, has died. He was 84.
Jones died on August 9 after suffering what his wife, Alma Viator, described as a “massive heart attack” at their home in Washington, Virginia.
“He was home resting in his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees,” Viator wrote in announcing his death.
Jones died three weeks before what would have been his 85th birthday on August 30.
His Wife Said He Had an ‘Amazing, Rich, Full Life’
Viator announced her husband’s death in an emotional social-media tribute. “I lost the love of my life today,” she wrote. “Ben passed from a massive heart attack.”
She said Jones had been relaxing at home and preparing to watch his beloved Atlanta Braves when he died. “Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life,” Viator continued. “He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much.”
The Associated Press reported that Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton also confirmed Jones’ death.
Cooter Davenport Made Jones a Television Favorite
Jones became widely known as Cooter Davenport, the mechanic who regularly helped Bo and Luke Duke out of trouble on CBS’ The Dukes of Hazzard. He appeared throughout all seven seasons of the series from 1979 to 1985.
Cooter began as a rowdy local mechanic with a habit of antagonizing authorities, but the character developed into one of the Duke family’s most dependable friends.
His CB-radio introduction “Crazy Cooter coming at you” became one of the character’s signatures. Jones later returned as Cooter in the 1997 television movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! and again in 2000’s The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood.
Before landing the role that defined his acting career, Jones had appeared in film and television projects including Smokey and the Bandit and As the World Turns.
He Went From Hazzard County to Capitol Hill
Jones made an unusual transition from a hit television series to elected office. After losing his first congressional campaign in 1986, he ran again two years later and won as a Democrat in Georgia.
The U.S. House of Representatives’ official historical record confirms that Jones served in the 101st and 102nd Congresses from January 1989 until January 1993. He represented Georgia for two terms before losing his bid for reelection in 1992 following redistricting.
Jones attempted another congressional comeback in 1994, challenging Newt Gingrich and losing the race. He later filed an ethics complaint against Gingrich involving the financing of a college course, an issue that became part of a broader House ethics investigation. Even after leaving elected office, Jones continued writing and speaking about politics.
Tom Wopat Said the ‘Dukes’ Had Lost a Cousin
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Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard, remembered Jones as both a friend and an important part of the show’s extended family. “The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today,” Wopat wrote on Instagram.
“Ben Jones was a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business,” he continued. “He will be sorely missed.”
Wopat also recalled the late Denver Pyle, who played Uncle Jesse, frequently telling Jones, “I’m not your Uncle Jesse!” “But I feel like we lost a Duke cousin today,” Wopat wrote.
Jones Kept Cooter and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ Close for Decades
Jones remained closely connected to the series long after his television and congressional careers. He and Viator developed Cooter’s Place locations dedicated to The Dukes of Hazzard, displaying memorabilia from the series and giving fans a place to reconnect with the show.
They also created DukesFest, which brought cast members and fans together for music, appearances, cars and other events tied to the series. Jones openly credited The Dukes of Hazzard with changing his life.
The Associated Press reported that he had struggled with alcoholism before joining the show and later described the sudden fame of the series by saying, “It was like being in a Beatles movie. Our lives changed.”