# ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Actor and Former Congressman Ben Jones Dies at 84
Ben Jones, the actor who became a household name playing lovable mechanic Cooter Davenport on *The Dukes of Hazzard* before embarking on an unexpected career in American politics, has died at the age of 84.
Jones died on August 9, 2026, at his home in Washington, Virginia, after suffering a heart attack, according to reports citing his wife, Alma Viator. His death marks the passing of a distinctive figure whose career crossed the worlds of television, entertainment, politics and Southern Americana. ([AP News][1])
For millions of television viewers, however, Jones will always be remembered first as Cooter Davenport, the friendly, sometimes mischievous mechanic who helped the Duke family navigate their adventures in Hazzard County.
But there was much more to Jones than the character he played on television.
He became a two-term
