Ben Jones, Dukes of Hazzard Star and Former Congressman, Dies at 84

Ben Jones, the actor best known for his role as Cooter Davenport in "The Dukes of Hazzard" and for serving as a U.S. congressman, has died at 84. His wife, Alma Viator, confirmed his passing on Facebook, stating he died from a "massive heart attack" while resting in his favorite chair at home in Rappahannock County, Virginia. She described him as the "love of my life" and emphasized the richness of his life, which spanned decades of entertainment, politics, and community engagement. Viator added that he was waiting for the Braves to play the Yankees when he died, a detail reported by new sources.

Jones performed onstage during Dr. Ralph Stanley Forever: A Special Tribute Concert at Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville in October 2017, according to new sources. His acting resume included the television shows "Dallas," "Sliders," and "As the World Turns," in addition to his iconic role as Cooter Davenport. He appeared in more than 140 "Dukes of Hazzard" episodes between 1979 and 1985 and reprised the role in two TV movies and two video games based on the series.

Former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones, who was perhaps better known for playing Cooter on "The Dukes of Hazzard," is dead. He was 84. Jones was elected to the House of Representatives in 1988, where he served until 1993. During his time in Congress, he held roles as a Democratic whip and served on committees focused on veterans’ affairs and transportation.

The "Dukes of Hazzard," which aired from 1979 to 1985, remains a symbol of 1970s and 1980s television, and Jones’s portrayal of the mechanic helped define its charm. The show, filled with adventures and car chases, achieved significant success during its seven seasons, with the first three seasons ranking among the top 10 most-watched television programs in the United States, according to Nielsen data. Jones was in all seven seasons of the series.

Fellow "Dukes of Hazzard" star Tom Wopat paid tribute to Jones on social media, calling him a "fine friend" and a "fierce advocate" for the entertainment industry. Wopat highlighted Jones’s enduring influence on the show’s legacy. Viator’s Facebook post, which went viral, captured the personal side of his passing, emphasizing his love for baseball and his quiet, homebound final moments.

Post "Dukes" and politics, the actor had a minor role in the 1998 Oscar-nominated film "Primary Colors," starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kathy Bates. Jones and Viator later opened Cooter’s Place, a "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and tourist spot with locations in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Luray, Virginia. They also shared a log cabin and farm in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and had two children. In 2007, Jones released his memoir, "Redneck Boy in the Promised Land," in which he discussed his struggles with alcoholism. In 2015, he made headlines when he announced his support for the Confederate flag, which served as a symbol on the main car in "The Dukes of Hazzard," after Warner Bros. Said it would no longer manufacture merchandise featuring the flag symbol. At the time, he penned an essay in The New York Times defending his position.

Friends and colleagues remembered Jones as a complex individual who balanced his roles as an actor, politician, and community leader. His death marks the end of an era for fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard," while his contributions to both entertainment and public life leave a lasting imprint. As tributes poured in, the focus remained on the man behind the characters—a man who, in his own words, "loved and was loved by so many."