Ben Jones, the "Dukes of Hazzard" star who turned to politics, had died. He was 84.
Jones died from a "massive heart attack," his longtime wife, Alma Viator, confirmed in a post on Facebook Sunday, Aug. 9.
"I lost the love of my life today," Viator wrote. "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 life."
Jones played scruffy mechanic "Crazy" Cooter Davenport in nearly every episode of the hit sitcom, from 1979 to 1985, as well as its 1997 and 2000 TV films. He was later replaced by David Koechner in the 2005 theatrical film and Joel Moore in the 2007 direct-to-video prequel, "The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning."
Jones grew up in a railroad shack near Portsmouth,
Virginia, and got his start acting in his mid-20s, in the films "Killer's Three," an uncredited role, and "Together for Days." He went on to land other film and TV roles, including an uncredited role in "Smokey and the Bandit," the Richard Pryor and Bill Dee Williams sports comedy "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings" and the action-comedy "Moonrunners," the predecessor to "Dukes."
He was also a Democratic member of Congress in Georgia from 1989 to 1993. He ran against Newt Gingrich the following year, and after his defeat, filed an ethics complaint against the former Speaker of the House for financial impropriety. The complaint led to Gingrich's resignation and an IRS investigation, which eventually exonerated him.
Post "Dukes" and politics, the actor had a minor role in the 1998 Oscar-nominated film "Primary Colors," starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates.
Jones and Viator went on to open a successful "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and tourist spot called "Cooter's Place," with locations in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Luray, Virginia.
The pair also shared a log cabin and farm in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and two children.
Jones' wife said the actor "loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Jones, 'Dukes of Hazzard' star and former congressman, dies at 84
