‘Dukes Of Hazzard’ star James Best has died, aged 88.
The actor, who played Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane in the US TV show, died in a hospice in Hickory, North Carolina after a brief illness and battle with pneumonia, his rep confirmed.
James Best as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, in 1982
As well as playing bumbling Sheriff Rosco, James also starred in films such as ‘The Caine Mutiny’ with Humphrey Bogart and other TV shows including ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’.
Tom Wopat, who starred as Luke Duke in ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ paid tribute to his former co-star, who he described as a ‘fine actor.
“The work he did with Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg) probably defined our show as much as the car chases," he told JamesBest.com.
"He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend. He will be greatly missed.”
John Schneider, who played Bo Duke, added: “Jimmie Best, of course, I laughed. But I learned more about acting in front of a camera from Jimmie Best in an afternoon than from anyone else in a year.
“When asked to cry on camera, he would say, ‘Sure thing…which eye?’ I’m forever thankful to have cut my teeth in the company of such a fine man.”
In later life after mostly retiring from acting, James went on to teach at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
He is survived by his wife Angela, his son and two daughters and his three grandchildren.
