James Best, the actor best known for his portrayal of bumbling yet endearing Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on TV’s “The Dukes of Hazzard,” died on Monday after a brief illness and complications of pneumonia. He was 88.
The actor passed away at a hospice facility following a brief illness and complications from pneumonia, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Best also had roles on "Gunsmoke," "Mod Squad" and "Bonanza." He also formed an acting school in the '1970s where he taught Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood and Quentin Tarantino, among others.
Several of Best's co-stars made statement's on his passing, per JamesBest.com
Statement from John Schneider, costar as Bo Duke on “The Dukes of Hazzard”:
“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.
“The work he did with Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg) probably defined our show as much as the car chases. He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend. He will be greatly missed," said Tom Wopat, costar as Luke Duke.
