Ben Jones, Who Played Cooter on 'Dukes of Hazzard,' Dead at 84
TMZ • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Ben Jones, best known for his role as Cooter on "The Dukes of Hazzard," has died at age 84 from a massive heart attack, according to his wife, Alma Viator.
- Jones passed away while eagerly awaiting the start of an Atlanta Braves game and was remembered by his wife as having lived a rich and full life.
- Before his TV fame, Jones was primarily a stage actor and had small roles in films like "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Moonrunners," the latter inspiring "The Dukes of Hazzard."
- Beyond acting, Jones served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives after moving to Washington, D.C., in the late 1980s.
- In recent years, Jones attracted controversy for defending the Confederate Battle Flag, a symbol associated with "The Dukes of Hazzard," asserting it had no ties to slavery.
