The Dukes of Hazzard actor Ben Jones dies

Ben Jones, known for playing Cooter Davenport on the classic TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died.

On Sunday, the actor-turned-politician's wife, Alma Viator, announced that Jones had passed away after suffering a "massive" heart attack. He was 84.

"I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack," she wrote on Facebook. "He was home resting in his favorite chair waiting for the (Atlanta) Braves to come on and whoop the (New York) Yankees. Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much."

Jones played mechanic Cooter on 142 episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard, which ran from 1979 to 1985. The main cast was also comprised of Tom Wopat, John Schneider, and Catherine Bach.

Reflecting on the sad news, Wopat - who portrayed Luke Duke - described Jones as a "fine friend".

"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... Denver Pyle frequently said to Ben, 'I'm not your Uncle Jesse!' But I feel like we lost a Duke cousin today," he posted on Instagram.

Jones served in the U.S. House of Representatives for four years from 1989 until 1993. Following his stint in politics, he returned to show business and appeared in films such as 1998's Primary Colors and 2000's Joe Gould's Secret.

He also reprised the role of Cooter for two The Dukes of Hazzard reunion specials.

Jones published his memoir, Redneck Boy in the Promised Land, in 2008.