Ben Jones, the actor best known for his role as the lovable mechanic Cooter Davenport on the hit CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 84. His wife, Alma Viator, announced his passing in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying he suffered a massive heart attack while resting at home, waiting for the Atlanta Braves to play the New York Yankees on television.

"Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life," Viator wrote. "He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much."

According to Geo.tv, Jones appeared in 141 episodes of the series, which ran from 1979 to 1985, and later reprised the role in two TV movies: Reunion! in 1997 and Hazzard in Hollywood in 2000. Before breaking into television, he had smaller roles in films including Smokey and the Bandit and Moonrunners, the 1975 film that inspired The Dukes of Hazzard.

His Dukes co-star Tom Wopat paid tribute on Instagram, writing, "The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today. 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... I feel like we lost a Duke cousin today."

Beyond acting, Jones built a notable second career in politics, winning election to represent Georgia's Fourth Congressional District in 1988 and serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as a Democratic whip. He later ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Virginia in 2002, losing to future House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

Why this matters

Jones's death marks the loss of one of the last surviving principal cast members of The Dukes of Hazzard, a cultural phenomenon that defined American television in the early 1980s. The show, which celebrated Southern culture, fast cars, and good-old-boy charm, became a ratings juggernaut and remains a nostalgic touchstone for generations of viewers. Jones's dual legacy as both a beloved television actor and a U.S. congressman also reflects a rare crossover between entertainment and public service, a path he navigated with distinction. He is survived by his wife and his children.