James Best (Photo : YouTube/12StarsMedia)
"Dukes of Hazzard" star James Best passed away at the age of 88 on Monday.
The actor, who played the titular role of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane died in a hospice care in Hickory due to complications brought about by his pneumonia, according to Star Tribune.
Best, who was able to star in 83 movies and appear in approximately 600 television shows throughout the span of his career is survived by his wife of 29 years, Dorothy Best, according to The Charlotte Observer.
In a previous interview with the publication back in 2009, Best talked about his role on "Dukes of Hazzard."
"I acted the part as good as I could. Rosco, let's face it, was a charmer. It was a fun thing," he said.
Best also starred in "The Canine Mutiny," "Shenandoah," "Bonanza," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Gunsmoke."
The actor's "Gunsmoke" co-star, Burt Reynolds, released a statement and said, "I was fortunate enough to call him my friend since the day he walked on the set of 'Gunsmoke' back in the early '60s. Onset or off, behind the scenes, in front of a class or just as a friend, his name was so fitting because he was truly the 'best' at whatever he did. My heart is heavy, and I miss him deeply."
Best's "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star, John Schneider recounted, "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."
