Ben Jones, Cooter on 'Dukes of Hazzard,' Dies at 84

Ben Jones, the actor best known for his role as the mechanic Cooter Davenport on the television series "The Dukes of Hazzard," died on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 84. His death was confirmed by his wife, Alma Viator, who stated he suffered a massive heart attack at their home.

Viator shared the news on social media, writing that Jones passed away while resting in his favorite chair, waiting to watch a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees. "Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much," Viator wrote.

Jones portrayed the gregarious mechanic Cooter Davenport, the owner of a garage located across from the sheriff's office in the fictional Hazzard County, for all seven seasons of the original series from 1979 to 1985. He appeared in 141 episodes and reprised the role in subsequent reunion projects. His character was often considered an honorary member of the Duke family, providing crucial assistance to the show's protagonists.

His former co-star Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, paid tribute on Instagram. "The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today....