Ben Jones, Cherished Cooter Davenport on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Passes Away at 84

‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ is celebrated as one of the iconic television hits of the 1980s, showcasing the Duke cousins as they navigated the challenges posed by corrupt officials in the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia. Among the vibrant cast that brought this series to life, one beloved member has now left a significant void in its legacy.

Ben Jones, who famously portrayed the affable mechanic Cooter Davenport throughout all seven seasons of the CBS series, has passed away. His wife, Alma Viator, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, sharing that Jones died at 84 from a massive heart attack while resting at home.

In Viator’s heartfelt post, she noted that Jones passed away peacefully in his favorite chair, eagerly awaiting the Atlanta Braves game against the New York Yankees. She reflected on their life together as wonderful and fulfilling, expressing that he was deeply loved and cherished by many, and simply stated that she loved him dearly, as reported by UPI.

Jones appeared in 141 episodes of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ as the owner of Cooter’s Garage, located directly across from the sheriff’s office in Hazzard County Square. His character became an honorary member of the Duke family, often seen maintaining the General Lee and famously opening his radio conversations with, “I might be crazy, but I ain’t dumb.”

Interestingly, Jones’s connection to ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ began even before the series aired. He collaborated with creator Gy Waldron on the 1975 bootlegger comedy ‘Moonrunners,’ a film that Waldron later adapted into the television series that would shape much of Jones’s career, bringing him together with future castmates Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, and Sorrell Booke.

In addition to his acting career, Jones ventured into politics, running for Congress in Georgia’s Fourth District in 1986 before narrowly losing. He won a seat two years later in a landslide after his opponent faced legal issues, serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before losing his seat to Newt Gingrich due to redistricting.

Jones remained closely connected to his ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ legacy long after the show concluded, operating “Cooter’s Place,” a themed museum and merchandise store with locations in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, and Luray, Virginia. He and Viator frequently hosted fan events and reunions related to the series, with Jones often greeting visitors personally and performing with his band, Cooter’s Garage Band.

Following the news of his passing, tributes from former castmates flooded in, with Wopat expressing on social media that the show had lost another vital part of its cast. He described Jones as a great friend and a passionate advocate for the best in the entertainment industry. Jones passed away just three weeks before his eighty-fifth birthday, concluding a life that spanned Hollywood soundstages, the halls of Congress, and decades of personal connections with fans who cherished Cooter.

What’s your favorite memory of Ben Jones as Cooter Davenport on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’? Share your thoughts in the comments.