Beloved actor’s death at 84 leaves fans, friends heartbroken: ‘He’ll be sorely missed’

EntertainmentBen Jones is being remembered for portraying Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard before serving two terms in Congress. (Pictured: Actor Ben Jones, sits atop one of the 229 hotrods, named the General Lee, used in the show "Dukes of Hazzard" as ecstatic fan, Aliceson Johnson, of Charlottesville, Va., sits in the drivers seat in front of his store in Sperryville, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999.) (AP Photo/Steve Helber)(AP Photo/Steve Helber)Ben Jones, who portrayed mechanic Cooter Davenport on “The Dukes of Hazzard” and later served two terms in Congress, died Sunday at his home, Page Six reports. He was 84.Jones died of a massive heart attack while waiting for an Atlanta Braves game to begin, his wife, Alma Viator, announced in a Facebook post.“Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many,” Viator wrote. “He will be missed. I loved him so so much.”Jones appeared in all seven seasons of the CBS series from 1979 to 1985, becoming a fixture of the ratings hit that followed the adventures of the Duke family in fictional Hazzard County, Page Six noted. His character, the friendly mechanic, became a fan favorite during the show’s run.Beyond “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Jones worked in television and film with roles in “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Moonrunners” and the soap opera “As the World Turns.”In 1988, Jones shifted from entertainment to politics, winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, Page Six said. He won reelection in 1990 but lost his seat four years later in a race against Newt Gingrich.Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke on the series, described Jones as an integral part of the cast and a “fine friend.” Wopat recalled how late cast member Denver Pyle would frequently joke with Jones, saying the cast felt as though they “lost a Duke cousin today.”Jones remained active in preserving the legacy of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which inspired a 2005 film reboot. He frequently participated in cast reunions with co-stars John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Rick Hurst and James Best.Megan Sims is a viral reporter for cleveland.com and a Cleveland native. She covers topics ranging from celebrity news, national business news, social media and more. Previously, Megan covered various lifestyle...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.