Content warning: This article includes discussion suicide.
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We have sad news to report from the world of television.
Ben Jones, the actor best known for playing beloved mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, has died.
He was 84 years old.
Jones died Sunday, August 9, at his home in Washington, Virginia, following a massive heart attack, according to his wife, Alma Viator.
Viator shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, remembering her husband as someone who lived a full and meaningful life.
“I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack,” she wrote.
Jones was at home in his favorite chair when he died, Viator revealed, waiting for the Atlanta Braves to take on the New York Yankees.
“Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life,” she added. “He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much.”
For millions of television viewers, Jones will forever be associated with Cooter, the good-natured mechanic and friend of the Duke family.
The CBS series ran from 1979 through 1985, with Jones appearing throughout its original seven-season run. He also reprised the character in later Dukes of Hazzard reunion projects.
Cooter was the owner of the local garage and tow truck in Hazzard County, making him an important ally to Bo and Luke Duke whenever the cousins found themselves in trouble.
Jones once explained the character’s appeal by noting that Cooter was always working because he operated the only garage and tow truck in town.
“He had the only garage and the only tow truck in a place where all they did was wreck cars,” Jones said in a 2008 interview. “Every time you saw him, he was working, and people can relate to that.”
But Jones’ career extended far beyond Hollywood.
After The Dukes of Hazzard, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District in 1988. He was reelected in 1990 and served as a Democrat.
During his time in Congress, Jones served as Democratic whip and worked on the House Veterans’ Affairs and Public Works and Transportation committees. He later ran against Newt Gingrich in 1994 but lost.
Jones eventually returned to his Dukes of Hazzard roots.
He opened museums dedicated to the series in Virginia and helped launch DukesFest, an annual celebration that brought together fans of the classic show.
His death has prompted an outpouring of affection from fans, friends, and former castmates.
Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, paid tribute to Jones on social media.
“The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today,” Wopat wrote, describing Jones as “a fine friend” and “a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business.”
“He will be sorely missed,” Wopat continued. “But I feel like we lost a Duke cousin today.”
Jones is survived by his wife, Alma, and his two children, Rachel and Walker. Our condolences go out to his loved ones during this enormously difficult time.
Ben Jones Cause of Death: ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star, Former US Congressman … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
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Aubrey Plaza Welcomes First Child!
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Congratulations to Aubrey Plaza!
Following her surprise pregnancy news this past spring, she has given birth!
(Yes, it’s a little sooner than the public expected, and in more ways than one.)
Not only has she given birth, but she’s already taking her newborn out and about.
Congratulations!
Plaza was recently spotted out and about in New York after seeing Death of a Salesman.
Her partner, Christopher Abbott, made his last performance in the play.
Plaza was holding her newborn.
She had her little baby bundled in a blanket and with a beanie.
Plaza did not make a formal “I had a baby” announcement on social media, so this served more or less the same purpose.
TMZ reports that Plaza welcomed her newborn daughter during the final week of July.
Together with Abbott, that makes them a family of three.
Word on Plaza’s pregnancy first came out in April. She didn’t make any effort to hide her baby bump once it had made the news.
At the time, it was reported that she expected a delivery in the autumn.
There’s another month and a half in the summer, but there are no reports of her baby being premature. It may be that reports were off on the due date.
There’s no one right way to grieve (or to move on)
News of Plaza’s pregnancy was met with joy — but also a level of surprise.
Previously, she was married to screenwriter and director Jeff Baena.
The two met and began dating in 2011, and married in 2021. In late 2024, they separated amidst mental health concerns about Baena.
Though Plaza would continue to care about her ex, even at one point having a friend check on him and encouraging him to attend therapy, Baena ended up dying by suicide in January 2025.
It was a shock to everyone, including Plaza. And some fans were left feeling puzzled by pregnancy news just months later.
In reality, many of us know that different people grieve in different ways.
Plaza’s ex died, months after they separated. Of course that hit her hard.
But she moved on. And whether by design or happenstance — which is truly none of our business — she is now a first-time mom.
She and Abbott have worked together on past projects, including Black Bear (a film) and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (an off-Broadway play).
Congratulations to Plaza!
Aubrey Plaza Welcomes First Child! was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
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