Ben Jones, Who Played Cooter on ‘the Dukes of Hazzard’ and Later Served Two Terms in Congress, Has Died at 84

He was waiting to watch his beloved Atlanta Braves take on the Yankees when the massive heart attack hit. His wife of more than 30 years says he died at home Sunday, surrounded by the full, rich life he built.

Ben Jones suffered a fatal heart attack at home on Sunday while waiting to watch his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, “whoop the Yankees.”

His wife of more than three decades, Alma Viator, confirmed the news on Facebook. “I lost the love of my life today,” she wrote. “Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many.”

Jones played mechanic Cooter Davenport on CBS’s “The Dukes of Hazzard,” the sidekick to cousins Bo and Luke Duke and an “honorary Duke” whose aversion to the law made him a fan favorite. He appeared in all seven seasons from 1979 to 1985, then returned for the 1997 TV movie “The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!” and 2000’s “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood.”

Co-star Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, called him “a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business.”

After the show wrapped, Jones was elected to Congress in 1988 and served two terms as a Democrat representing Georgia’s 4th district, from January 1989 to January 1993. He sat on the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, and served as a Democratic whip.

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