Ben Jones, best known for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at 84 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Virginia.
Ben Jones, the actor and former politician best known for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 84. Jones died on Aug. 8, 2026, at his home in Virginia after suffering a massive heart attack, according to his wife, Alma.
Jones became widely known for his role as Cooter Davenport, the friendly mechanic and ally of cousins Bo and Luke Duke. He appeared throughout the original series, which aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985 and became one of the most recognizable television shows of its era.
Beyond acting, Jones also pursued a career in politics. He served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia from 1989 to 1993. His career therefore extended from television and entertainment into national politics before he later returned to the world of show business.
Jones remained closely connected to The Dukes of Hazzard after the original series ended. He reprised the role of Cooter Davenport in reunion projects and became associated with Cooter’s Place, a museum and entertainment attraction celebrating the series and its characters.
His other acting credits included films and television projects such as Primary Colors, Meet Joe Black and Sliders. He also continued working in music and entertainment, maintaining a connection with fans of the classic series.
Jones’ death comes after decades in the public eye, during which Cooter Davenport became the role most closely associated with his career. His contribution to The Dukes of Hazzard helped make Cooter one of the show's memorable supporting characters.
