Ben Jones, Iconic Cooter Davenport from ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Passes Away at 84

Ben Jones, renowned for his role as the scruffy mechanic Cooter Davenport on the CBS action series The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 84. His death occurred on Sunday due to a massive heart attack at his home, as confirmed by his wife, Alma Viator.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Jones first gained recognition for his portrayal of a federal agent in the 1975 film Moonrunners, directed by Gy Waldron. The film, which delved into the world of bootlegging, starred Jim Mitchum and featured narration by country music legend Waylon Jennings. When Waldron adapted the film into the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, Jones joined the cast alongside Tom Wopat, John Schneider, and Catherine Bach, among others.

The series, which aired from January 1979 to February 1985, was set in Georgia and featured Jones as the owner of Cooter’s Garage, located in Hazzard County Square. Over the course of its seven seasons, Jones appeared in 141 episodes, becoming a beloved character known for his catchphrase, “Breaker one, breaker one, I might be crazy, but I ain’t dumb.”

Political Career

Following the success of The Dukes of Hazzard, Jones ventured into politics. In 1986, he ran for Congress in Georgia’s 4th congressional district but lost a close race to incumbent Pat Swindall. However, in 1988, he won a landslide victory after Swindall faced allegations of lying to a federal grand jury regarding his dealings with an undercover agent.

During his political career, Jones openly discussed his past struggles with alcohol, stating he had “more skeletons in my closet than the Smithsonian.” He had been sober since September 1977 and was re-elected for another term in 1990.

Jones remarked on the intersection of his acting and political careers, stating that the skills he honed in theater and film were invaluable in politics, particularly in communication and audience engagement.

Later Years and Legacy

After redistricting cost him his seat, Jones was defeated by Newt Gingrich in 1994. However, an ethics complaint he filed against Gingrich contributed to the latter’s resignation as House Speaker in 1998. In 2002, Jones attempted to regain a congressional seat but lost to Eric Cantor, who later became House majority leader.

In a twist of fate, the 1997 telefilm The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! depicted Cooter as a congressman, reflecting Jones’s real-life political journey.

Jones was born on August 30, 1941, in Tarboro, North Carolina, and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was the third of four sons in a family that faced economic challenges, living in a railroad section house without electricity or indoor plumbing for years.

Despite early struggles, Jones graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959 and later attended East Carolina College and the University of North Carolina, where he majored in radio, television, and motion pictures. His passion for acting led him to participate in various student projects and experimental plays.

Jones’s film career included appearances in Killers Three (1968), Together for Days (1972), The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), and The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977), before landing his iconic role in The Dukes of Hazzard.

During the show’s second season, Jones briefly left the series due to a dispute over his character’s appearance, specifically whether Cooter should be clean-shaven or have a beard. Ultimately, the producers prevailed, and he returned without facial hair.

In 1998, he made a cameo in the political film Primary Colors, directed by Mike Nichols, where he played a media adviser. In the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard movie, the character of Cooter was portrayed by David Koechner.

Beyond acting and politics, Jones embraced his role as Cooter by forming Cooter’s Garage Band, which performed at various events, and establishing Cooter’s theme stores and Hazzard museums in Tennessee and Virginia. He also initiated annual gatherings known as Dukesfest and Hazzard Homecoming.

Jones is survived by his fourth wife, whom he married in 1992, and his children, Rachel and Walker.

As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.

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Published on 2026-08-10 03:38:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk