Ben Jones, the actor best known for playing the mechanic "Crazy" Cooter Davenport on the hit television series "The Dukes of Hazzard" who later transitioned into politics as a U.S. congressman, has died at the age of 84.
Jones passed away from a "massive heart attack," according to a Facebook post shared on Sunday, Aug. 9, by his longtime wife, Alma Viator. "I lost the love of my life today," Viator wrote. "He was home resting in his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees. Ben had the most amazing rich life."
Jones grew up in a railroad shack near Portsmouth, Virginia, and began his acting career in his mid-20s. His early work included an uncredited role in the film "Killer's Three" and a part in "Together for Days." He went on to secure other film and television roles, including an uncredited appearance in "Smokey and the Bandit," the Richard Pryor and Billy Dee Williams sports comedy "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings," and the action-comedy "Moonrunners," which served as the predecessor to "The Dukes of Hazzard."
From 1979 to 1985, Jones portrayed the scruffy mechanic Cooter Davenport in nearly every episode of the popular sitcom, reprising the role in the 1997 and 2000 television films. The character was later played by David Koechner in the 2005 theatrical adaptation and by Joel Moore in the 2007 direct-to-video prequel, "The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning."
Beyond acting, Jones entered politics as a Democrat, serving as a member of Congress representing Georgia from 1989 to 1993. The following year, he ran for office against Newt Gingrich. Following his defeat, Jones filed an ethics complaint against the former Speaker of the House, accusing him of financial impropriety. The complaint ultimately prompted Gingrich's resignation and triggered an IRS investigation, though Gingrich was eventually exonerated.
After his time in politics and "Dukes," Jones landed a minor role in the 1998 Oscar-nominated film "Primary Colors," which starred John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kathy Bates. He and Viator also launched a successful "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and tourist destination named "Cooter's Place," which established locations in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Luray, Virginia. The couple, who shared two children, lived together on a farm with a log cabin in Rappahannock County, Virginia.
Reflecting on his legacy, Viator added that her husband "loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much."
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