Replicas of the General Lee Charger and the Sheriff car, from the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, parked along a country road in the state of Tennessee on June 26, 2014. (Tiago_Fernandez / Getty Images)
By Johnathan Jones August 10, 2026 at 6:15am
Benjamin Lewis Jones, the actor who played the friendly mechanic Cooter Davenport on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Jones’ wife, Alma Viator, announced his sudden passing on Sunday afternoon in a Facebook post.
She said the businessman, actor, and former member of Congress died from a massive heart attack while at home.
“I lost the love of my life today,” she announced. “Ben passed from a massive heart attack.”
She added, “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 full life.”
Viator concluded, “He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much.”
Were you a “Dukes of Hazzard” fan?
Jones was born in 1941 and appeared in “Moonrunners” in 1975 and “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings” in 1976.
He also appeared in “Smokey and the Bandit” in 1977.
His biggest acting role came with the smash hit “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which ran from 1979 to 1985.
The role later followed him into a business career.
Jones opened stores called Cooter’s Place. The businesses sold merchandise for “Dukes of Hazzard” fans.
Jones also had a successful career in politics, winning two elections as a Democrat to the House of Representatives.
He represented Georgia’s 4th Congressional District from 1989 to 1993.
Jones later opposed the left, particularly as it related to an attempt to portray “Dukes of Hazzard” as racist.
Amid an uproar over Confederate flags from the left in 2015, Jones said his stores would continue selling them.
He also rejected the idea that the flag painted on the General Lee car in “Dukes of Hazzard” was in any way connected to race.
“I think all of Hazzard nation understands that the Confederate battle flag is the symbol that represents the indomitable spirit of independence,” Jones stated.
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Johnathan Jones is a journalist, novelist, and media analyst with experience as a reporter, editor, and producer across radio, television, and digital platforms. Follow him on X: @misterjkjones
