Ben Jones, 'Dukes of Hazzard' actor who later served in Congress, dies at 84

Ben Jones, the histrion champion known for portraying trusty mechanic Cooter Davenport connected “The Dukes of Hazzard” earlier serving 2 presumption successful Congress arsenic a typical from Georgia, has died. He was 84.

Jones died Sunday of a bosom onslaught astatine his location successful Virginia, his wife, Alma Viator, said connected societal media.

“I mislaid the emotion of my beingness today,” Viator wrote connected Facebook. “Ben passed from a monolithic bosom attack. He was location resting successful his favourite seat waiting for the Braves to travel connected and whoop the Yankees. Ben had the astir astonishing affluent afloat life. He loved and was loved by truthful many. He volition beryllium missed. I loved him truthful so much.”

A quality histrion whose earliest credits see films specified arsenic “Together for Days” (1972) and “Moonrunners” (1975), Jones’ interruption came erstwhile helium landed the relation of “Crazy Cooter” Davenport connected the CBS enactment drama “The Dukes of Hazzard.” The series, which aired from 1979 to 1985, chiefly followed close-knit cousins Bo (John Schneider) and Luke Duke (Tom Wopat), arsenic good arsenic those successful their orbit successful the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia.

“The Dukes of Hazzard mislaid different integral portion of their formed today,” Wopat wrote successful his tribute to Jones connected Instagram. “Ben Jones was a good person and a fierce advocator of each the champion things we tin connection successful the amusement business. He volition beryllium sorely missed… Denver Pyle often said to Ben, ‘I’m not your Uncle Jesse!’ But I consciousness similar we mislaid a Duke relative today.”

Initially introduced arsenic a gruff chaotic antheral without overmuch respect for the law, Davenport yet settled into a loyal, fun-loving “honorary Duke” beloved by fans. The mechanic would often assistance repair the show’s signature vehicle, an orangish 1969 Dodge Charger known arsenic General Lee.

Despite mixed reviews from critics — erstwhile Times tv professional Howard Rosenberg denounced it successful 1980 arsenic “a spittoon of a bid astir hotrod-speeding, card-carrying hicks determination successful the South” — “Dukes” was 1 of the most-watched tv shows of its time. Jones would instrumentality to play Davenport aft his governmental vocation successful the TV films “The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!” and “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard successful Hollywood,” wherever the quality was besides revealed to person ventured into authorities arsenic a congressman.

Born Aug. 30, 1941, successful Tarboro, N.C., Jones grew up successful Virginia and North Carolina earlier yet attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to survey writing. He was unfastened astir his struggles with intoxicant and told The Times successful 1993 that helium had been sober since 1977.

After his clip connected “Dukes,” Jones was persuaded to tally for office, challenging a fashionable Republican incumbent, Pat Swindall, for his spot representing Georgia successful the U.S. House of Representatives. Though helium mislaid his archetypal effort successful 1986, Jones won their rematch 2 years aboriginal aft Swindall had been indicted for perjury successful narration to a money-laundering scheme. (Swindall was aboriginal convicted.)

Jones, a Democrat, served 2 presumption representing Georgia’s 4th Congressional District earlier redistricting took his seat. He aboriginal attempted to situation then-Rep. Newt Gingrich for his spot but mislaid successful the primary. He ran for bureau again aft moving to Virginia, challenging Republican incumbent Eric Cantor for his spot successful 2002 but was again unsuccessful.

“I deliberation determination are a batch of similarities betwixt authorities and entertainment, adjacent much truthful with the advent of television,” Jones told The Times successful 1993, soon aft leaving office. “It’s each astir communication.”

Proud of his Southern heritage, Jones was besides known for his arguable defence of the Confederate flag, which helium described successful a 2015 effort published by the New York Times arsenic “a awesome of a non-racist Southern spirit” that had been “appropriated and desecrated” by racists.

Jones is survived by Viator, his 5th wife; his 3 children, Rachel, Jeanne and Walker; 3 stepchildren and 10 grandchildren, according to the New York Times.