Ben Jones, the actor best known for his role as Cooter Davenport in The Dukes of Hazzard« and for four years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was 84 years old.
His wife, Alma Viator, announced his death on Facebook on Sunday (August 9), writing, "Today I lost the love of my life. Ben passed away from a massive heart attack. He was at home, relaxing in his favorite chair, waiting for the Braves to take the field and beat the Yankees.".
She added: "Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life. He loved and was loved by many. We will miss him. I loved him very much.".
Jones was born on August 30, 1941, in Tarboro, North Carolina. He began his acting career while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he performed with the Carolina Playmakers theater troupe. He began earning money performing in summer stock productions and in the street drama "Unto These Hills" in Cherokee, North Carolina.
In 1969, Jones moved to Atlanta, where he performed at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Children's Theatre, Theatre of the Stars, and Winter Playhouse. He also began acting, first in television commercials and then in supporting roles in films, including «"Together for a few days"» , «Smokey and the Bandit» , «The Lincoln Conspiracy» and others.
His most important film role was in an independent film «Moonrunners» , directed by G. Waldron and starring Waylon Jennings. This film later served as the basis for a TV series. «The Dukes of Hazzard» , which began production in 1978. Jones landed the role of Cooter Davenport, the mechanic assistant to cousins Bo and Luke Duke.
The show became an instant hit, attracting tens of millions of viewers weekly on CBS. Jones starred in all seven seasons of the original show from 1979 to 1985, as well as in the 1997 film "Reunion" and the special. «"Danger in Hollywood" 2000.
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His other television credits include: «The Magical World of Disney, Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince» , «Sliding» , «As the World Turns» и «"Surface"» .
In addition to acting, Jones served as president of the Georgia Chapter of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the Georgia Film Commission before running for Congress to represent Georgia's 4th congressional district in 1988. He won the election by 20 points and was re-elected in 1990.
As a member of Congress, Jones served as the Democratic Party's party whip, serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Public Works and Transportation Committee. In 1994, he ran against Newt Gingrich in a different district and lost.
Another actor from the series "Dukes" of Hazzard's Tom Wopat paid tribute to Jones on Instagram, writing: "Today the series «The Dukes of Hazzard »" has lost another important member of its cast. Ben Jones was a wonderful friend and a passionate advocate for all that is best in the entertainment industry. He will be greatly missed.".
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