Ben Jones, Dukes of Hazzard actor who later served in Congress, dies at 84

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Set us as preferred Ben Jones, the actor best known for portraying trusty mechanic Cooter Davenport on “The Dukes of Hazzard” before serving two terms in Congress as a representative from Georgia, has died.He was 84.

Jones died Sunday of a heart attack at his home in Virginia, his wife, Alma Viator, said on social media.“I lost the love of my life today,” Viator wrote on Facebook.

“Ben passed from a massive heart attack.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.He loved and was loved by so many.

He will be missed.I loved him so so much.” A character actor whose earliest credits include films such as “Together for Days” (1972) and “Moonrunners” (1975), Jones’ break came when he landed the role of “Crazy Cooter” Davenport on the CBS action comedy “The Dukes of Hazzard.” The series, which aired from 1979 to 1985, primarily followed close-knit cousins Bo (John Schneider) and Luke Duke (Tom Wopat), as well as those in their orbit in the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia.

Television Vincent Pastore, best known for playing gangster informant Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” has died.“The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today,” Wopat wrote in his tribute to Jones on Instagram.

“Ben Jones was a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business.He will be sorely missed… Denver Pyle frequently said to Ben, ‘I’m not your Uncle Jesse!’ But I feel like we lost a Duke cousin today.”Initially introduced as a gruff wild man without much regard for the law, Davenport eventually settled into a loyal, fun-loving “honorary Duke” beloved by fans.

The mechanic would often help repair the ...