Ben Jones, the actor widely recognized for his portrayal of the mechanic “Crazy” Cooter Davenport on the hit television series “Dukes of Hazzard,” has died at the age of 84. His longtime wife, Alma Viator, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, August 9, stating that the actor suffered a “massive heart attack.” In her tribute, Viator wrote, “I lost the love of my life today. 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 appeared as Cooter in nearly every episode of the sitcom during its original run from 1979 to 1985, and he later reprised the role in the 1997 and 2000 television films. In later franchise installments, the character was portrayed by David Koechner in the 2005 theatrical film and by Joel Moore in the 2007 prequel, “The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning.”
Born in a railroad shack near Portsmouth, Virginia, Jones began his acting career in his mid-20s. His early film credits included “Killer’s Three” and “Together for Days.” He also appeared in “Smokey and the Bandit,” the sports comedy “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings,” and “Moonrunners,” which served as the predecessor to “Dukes.” Beyond his television fame, Jones served as a Democratic member of Congress representing Georgia from 1989 to 1993. Following a subsequent electoral defeat to Newt Gingrich, Jones filed an ethics complaint against the former Speaker of the House regarding financial impropriety, which triggered an IRS investigation that ultimately resulted in Gingrich’s exoneration.
Later in his career, Jones appeared in the 1998 Oscar-nominated film “Primary Colors,” which featured John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kathy Bates. Alongside his wife, he established “Cooter’s Place,” a successful chain of museums and tourist attractions dedicated to the “Dukes of Hazzard” legacy, with locations in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Luray, Virginia. The couple resided on a farm in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and shared two children. Reflecting on his passing, Viator noted that Jones “loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much.”
