Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Ben Jones, Dukes of Hazzard Actor-Turned-Politician, Dies at 84
Ben Jones was a famous actor who played a funny mechanic named Cooter Davenport on a TV show called The Dukes of Hazzard.
He appeared in the show 141 times, and it was very popular.
After being on TV, Ben decided to help people by becoming a politician.
He was elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives for the state of Georgia.
Sadly, Ben died at the age of 84.
His wife, Alma Viator, shared the sad news on Facebook.
She said he passed away from a very big heart attack while resting at home in his favorite chair.
He was waiting to watch the Atlanta Braves play baseball.
Many fans wrote nice messages online to remember him.
They said he was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Ben Jones, best known as mechanic Cooter Davenport in The Dukes of Hazzard, died at age 84.
His wife, Alma Viator, confirmed on Facebook that he died of a massive heart attack at home.
Jones appeared in 141 episodes of the CBS series, which ran seven seasons from January 1979 to February 1985.
A Democrat, he served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Georgia.
Fans and the Dukes of Hazzard fan page paid tribute to Jones on social media after his death.
- Who
- Ben Jones, actor best known as Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard and former U.S. congressman from Georgia
- What
- Died of a massive heart attack at home; tributes poured in from fans and the Dukes of Hazzard fan page
- When
- Exact date not specified in the articles; his wife announced his passing on Facebook the day he died
- Where
- At his home, resting in his favorite chair while waiting to watch a baseball game
- Why
- Massive heart attack, as confirmed by his wife Alma Viator
- Age at Death
- 84
- Cause of Death
- Massive heart attack
- Death Announced By
- Wife Alma Viator via Facebook
- Famous Role
- Cooter Davenport, owner of Cooter's Garage, in The Dukes of Hazzard
- Show Details
- 141 episodes; CBS; seven seasons, January 1979 to February 1985
- Political Career
- Two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (Democrat, Georgia)
- Congressional Races
- Lost 1986 race to Pat Swindall; won in 1988; defeated by Newt Gingrich in 1994
- Birthplace
- Tarboro, North Carolina; raised in Portsmouth, Virginia
