Ben Jones, Dukes of Hazzard star turned Georgia congressman, dies aged 84
Ben Jones, who played mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard before serving two terms as a Democratic congressman for Georgia, has died aged 84.
Ben Jones, the American actor best known for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, died aged 84 from a heart attack, his wife Alma Viator announced. After his acting career, Jones served two terms as a Democratic congressman for Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ben Jones, the actor best known as the mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, died on Sunday, August 9, at the age of 84. His wife, Alma Viator, announced his death in a statement posted on Facebook, saying he died from a heart attack. Reports citing his wife said he died at his home in Virginia. Jones spent seven seasons on the CBS series, one of the most popular American television shows of its era, after overcoming a drinking problem. After his acting career, he moved into politics, serving two terms as a Democratic congressman representing Georgia in the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 1989, to January 3, 1993. His death closes an unusual career that moved between Hollywood and public life. In his later years, Jones became International Chief of Heritage Operations for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a role he took up in July 2014. Tributes were paid to him following news of his death.
Death announced by wife Alma Viator
Ben Jones died on Sunday, August 9, at the age of 84. The cause was a heart attack, according to reports citing his wife. Alma Viator announced his death in a statement posted on Facebook that same day. Reports citing his wife said Jones died at his home in Virginia.
News of his death prompted tributes, according to reports, though the identities of those paying their respects and the content of their messages have not been detailed in the available accounts.
Jones, whose full name was Benjamin Lewis Jones, built a career that spanned acting, writing, politics and business. He remains best known to audiences as the affable mechanic Cooter Davenport on the CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, and later served two terms as a Democratic congressman from Georgia. His wife's Facebook announcement was the first public word of his passing.
Seven seasons as Cooter on The Dukes of Hazzard
For millions of television viewers, Ben Jones was Cooter Davenport, the good-natured mechanic at the heart of The Dukes of Hazzard. He spent seven seasons on the CBS series, making the grease-stained garage owner one of the show's most recognisable and best-loved figures.
The role defined his acting career and gave him a public profile that would follow him for the rest of his life. Long after the series ended, he remained closely identified with the character in the minds of fans.
His time on the show also marked a personal turning point. Jones joined the cast after overcoming a drinking problem, a struggle he had faced before stepping into the part that made him famous. The seven-season run established him as a household name across the United States and laid the foundation for the varied career in entertainment and public life that followed.
From Hollywood to Congress: Georgia's Democratic representative
After his years on television, Jones moved into politics as a Democrat in his home state of Georgia. He won a seat in the United States House of Representatives and took office on January 3, 1989, beginning the first of two consecutive terms representing the state in Congress.
His time in Washington ran until January 3, 1993, a four-year span in which he sat as a Democratic congressman. The move from Hollywood to Capitol Hill made Jones an unusual figure in American public life: an actor who had built his fame playing a mechanic on a network series and then converted that recognition into electoral success.
His congressional service formed only one strand of a working life that, according to reports, also encompassed writing and business ventures alongside acting and public office. Jones's two terms in the House marked the peak of his political career.
Jones began serving as a Democratic congressman representing Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jones's service in the U.S. House of Representatives ended after two terms.
Jones became International Chief of Heritage Operations for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Jones died at his home in Virginia from a heart attack at the age of 84, according to reports citing his wife.
Jones's wife, Alma Viator, announced his death in a statement posted on Facebook.
Tributes were paid to Jones following news of his death.
Later years and the Sons of Confederate Veterans role
Benjamin Lewis Jones, as he was born, built a working life that stretched well beyond the garage at Hazzard County. He described himself across the years as an actor, writer, politician and businessman, and each label had substance behind it. Writing ran alongside his screen work, business ventures filled the years around his time in Washington, and public life remained a constant even after his two terms in the House of Representatives ended on January 3, 1993.
In July 2014 he took on a new and prominent role, becoming International Chief of Heritage Operations for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the organisation dedicated to preserving the memory of Confederate soldiers. The position placed him at the centre of the group's heritage activities and made him one of its most recognisable public figures, drawing on the fame he had carried since his years on television.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ben Jones, the actor from The Dukes of Hazzard?
Ben Jones was an American actor, writer, politician, and businessman whose full name was Benjamin Lewis Jones. He was best known for playing the mechanic Cooter Davenport on the CBS television series The Dukes of Hazzard, a role he held for seven seasons. After his acting career, he served two terms as a Democratic congressman representing Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives.
How did Ben Jones die?
Jones died on a Sunday from a heart attack, according to reports citing his wife. He was 84 years old. Reports citing his wife said he died at his home in Virginia. His wife, Alma Viator, announced his death in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 9. The sources do not give a year of death or further details about the circumstances of the heart attack.
Who announced Ben Jones's death?
Jones's wife, Alma Viator, announced his death. She did so in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 9. Reports citing her statement said Jones died that Sunday from a heart attack at the age of 84.
Did Ben Jones serve in Congress?
Yes. After his acting career, Jones served two terms as a Democratic congressman representing Georgia in the United States House of Representatives. His service ran from January 3, 1989, to January 3, 1993.
What was Ben Jones's role with the Sons of Confederate Veterans?
In July 2014, Jones became International Chief of Heritage Operations for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. This came after his earlier careers in acting and politics. The briefing does not say what he did between leaving Congress in 1993 and taking up that role.
Compiled from reporting by 10 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
