Ben Jones, the actor best known for playing the good-natured mechanic Cooter Davenport on the television series 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at the age of 84. His wife announced the news on Facebook, saying that he suffered a massive heart attack on Sunday. The death of the veteran actor and former congressman has drawn remembrances from fans who grew up with the long-running show and its familiar cast of characters.
Jones became a household name through his portrayal of Cooter, the loyal and folksy mechanic who was a fixture of 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' The series was widely known for its high-octane car chases and its iconic orange Dodge Charger, and Jones's character remained one of its most beloved figures throughout the show's run. For many viewers, Cooter came to embody the easygoing, small-town spirit that defined the series.
Following his acting career, which stretched through the mid-1980s, Jones turned to politics and made an unusual leap from television to elected office. He was chosen by voters in Georgia to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as a Democrat from 1989 to 1993. The move placed him among the relatively few entertainers who have gone on to hold national political office.
In the years that followed his time in Congress, Jones remained a public presence. During the mid-2010s, he served in an administrative role for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. His death closes the chapter on a varied life that moved between television stardom, elected office and civic involvement, leaving behind a career that touched several very different corners of American public life.