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Jewel Franklin Guy (July 26, 1926 – April 6, 2015), known professionally as James Best, was an American television, film, stage, and voice actor, as well as a writer, director, acting coach, artist, college professor, and musician. During a career that spanned more than 60 years, Best, who was known for his high-pitched, exasperated voice, performed not only in feature films, but also in scores of television series. His appearances were almost all on Western programs, as well as various country music programs and talk shows. He gained recognition for his starring role as the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the action comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, which originally aired on CBS between 1979 and 1985. He reprised the role in 1997 and 2000 for the made-for-television movies The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! and The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood (2000).

Key Information

Early years

[edit]

James Best was born Jewel Franklin Guy on July 26, 1926, in Powderly, Kentucky, to Lark and Lena (née Everly) Guy.[1] Lena Guy's brother was Ike Everly, the father of the pop duo the Everly Brothers.[2] Best was raised by adoptive parents in Corydon, Indiana.[3]

Best served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II, training in 1944 in Biloxi, Mississippi, as a gunner on a B-17 bomber; but by the time he completed his training the war had almost ended, so he was assigned to the army's law enforcement section. In the military police, Best served in war-torn Germany immediately after the Nazi government's surrender in May 1945. While stationed in Germany, he transferred from the military police to an army unit of actors, who traveled around Europe performing plays for troops. Those experiences formed the beginning of his acting career.[4]

Film career

[edit]

Best began his contract career in 1949 at Universal Studios, where he met fellow actors Julie Adams, Piper Laurie, Tony Curtis, Mamie Van Doren and Rock Hudson. Initially, he performed in several uncredited roles for Universal, such as in the 1950 film One Way Street, but credited performances soon followed that same year in the Westerns Comanche Territory, Winchester '73, and Kansas Raiders. Work in that genre continued to be an important part of his ongoing film career, including roles in The Cimarron Kid (1952); Seven Angry Men (1955), in which he portrays one of the sons of abolitionist John Brown; Last of the Badmen (1957); Cole Younger Gunfighter (1958); Ride Lonesome (1959); The Quick Gun (1964); and Firecreek (1968).

Best's film roles were not limited to Westerns. He also starred in the 1959 science fiction cult movie The Killer Shrews, and in its 2012 sequel Return of the Killer Shrews; as army medic Rhidges in the 1958 film adaptation of Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead; as escaped POW Carter in the James Stewart movie Shenandoah; as Dr. Ben Mizer in the 1966 comedy Three on a Couch; and as the cross-dressing Dewey Barksdale in the 1976 drama Ode to Billy Joe. He had the lead role in Samuel Fuller's Verboten! (1955), and played Burt Reynolds's partner Cully in the 1978 movie Hooper.

Television

[edit]
Best with Andy Griffith on CBS's The Andy Griffith Show (1961)

Best guest-starred more than 280 times in various television series. In 1954, he played outlaw Dave Ridley in an episode of Stories of the Century. In 1954, Best appeared twice on the syndicated Annie Oakley series. In 1955, he played Jim Blake on The Lone Ranger, Season 4, Episode 47. He was cast in the religion anthology series Crossroads, in its 1956 episode "The White Carnation." He was also cast on an episode of the NBC sitcom The People's Choice and in the crime drama Richard Diamond, Private Detective.

Best with Laura Devon (center) and Anne Francis in The Twilight Zone episode "Jess-Belle" (1963)

Best made four appearances on the syndicated anthology series Death Valley Days. His first role was as miner "Tiny" Stoker in the 1955 episode "Million Dollar Wedding".

In 1960, Best appeared in the episode "Love on Credit" of CBS's anthology series The DuPont Show with June Allyson. The same year, he guest-starred on The Andy Griffith Show as "The Guitar Player" (Season 1, Episode 3 and 31). He starred in three episodes of The Twilight Zone including "The Grave" (Season 3, Episode 7), "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" (Season 3, Episode 23), and "Jess-Belle" (Season 4, Episode 7).

In 1961, he guest-starred in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Make My Death Bed". In 1963, he was cast as the courageous Wisconsin game warden Ernie Swift in the episode "Open Season" of another CBS anthology series, GE True, hosted by Jack Webb. In the story line, Swift's character faces the reprisal of organized crime after he tickets a gangster for illegal fishing.[5]

In 1962, he played the part of Art Fuller in the episode "Incident of El Toro" on CBS's Rawhide; and in 1963, he returned to play Willie Cain in the episode "Incident at Spider Rock." Best made two guest appearances on Perry Mason. In 1963, he played title character Martin Potter in "The Case of the Surplus Suitor," and in 1966 he played defendant and oilman Allan Winford in "The Case of the Unwelcome Well." He appeared on a long list of other television series in the 1950s and 1960s, including Wagon Train (three times), Laramie (three times), The Adventures of Kit Carson, The Rebel, Bonanza, Sheriff of Cochise, Pony Express, Rescue 8, The Texan, Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Tombstone Territory, Whispering Smith, Trackdown, The Rifleman, Cheyenne, Stagecoach West, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Overland Trail, Bat Masterson, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Combat!, The Green Hornet ("Deadline for Death"), The Mod Squad, I Spy, The Fugitive, and Flipper. He made a guest appearance on former costar Anne Francis's series Honey West in the 1965 episode "A Matter of Wife and Death".

The Dukes of Hazzard

[edit]

Best's highest-profile role was as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on CBS's The Dukes of Hazzard. He appeared during the entire run of the program, from 1979 until the end of the series in 1985. He later revealed that the caricature-like persona of Sheriff Coltrane was developed from a voice he used when playing with his young children.[6] On set, Best was particularly close to Sorrell Booke, who played the character of Boss Hogg, who was both the boss and the brother-in-law of Rosco. The two actors became close friends; and according to interviews by the series' creators, the two often improvised their scenes together, making up their own dialogue as they went along. In the second season of the show, he temporarily left the show, due to a dispute over changing-room conditions. Best appeared in almost every episode of the series, with the exception of 5, throughout the run. Until his death, he remained close to actress Catherine Bach, who played the character of Daisy Duke; and long after the show's cancellation, she was a regular visitor to the website dedicated to Best's painting.[7]

Later television career

[edit]

In 1991, Best appeared in an episode of the NBC crime drama In the Heat of the Night. He portrayed retired sheriff and repentant killer Nathan Bedford in the episode "Sweet, Sweet Blues".

In August 2008, Best was presented the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.[8]

Artist, teacher, writer, and other activities

[edit]

Best later moved to Florida and taught at the University of Central Florida (Orlando). After semi-retiring, he administered a production company and accepted occasional acting roles. He also developed a reputation as an artist for his paintings of landscapes, scenes from The Dukes of Hazzard in collaboration with Scott Romine, and other subjects. Later, after residing for a while on Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina, he moved once again, this time to Hickory, North Carolina.

An acting coach too, Best taught drama and acting techniques for more than 25 years in Los Angeles. He also served as artist-in-residence and taught drama at the University of Mississippi (Oxford) for two years prior to his stint on The Dukes of Hazzard.[citation needed]

On November 9, 2014, Best and fellow actor Robert Fuller (along with their wives) attended the 100th birthday celebration of lifelong friend and fellow actor Norman Lloyd. Best said, "I had the honor to have been directed by Norman in a Hitchcock episode called 'The Jar.' Having worked with hundreds of directors in my career, I found very few that had Norman's qualities. He was most kind, gracious and patient with his actors. He is in all respects a complete gentleman in his personal life and I found it a genuine pleasure just to be in the presence of such a talented man. I am also doubly honored to consider him my friend. We are so blessed to have such a man among us for so long."[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Best had a son, Gary, with his first wife. In 1959, he married his second wife, Jobee Ayers. The couple had two daughters, Janeen and JoJami, before divorcing in 1977. Best then married his third wife, Dorothy Collier, in 1986.[10] He had three grandchildren.[11]

He enjoyed a wide range of hobbies and interests and was an accomplished painter, guitarist,[1] held a black belt in karate,[1] enjoyed writing,[1] and ran his own acting school. His students included Lindsay Wagner, Roger Miller, Glen Campbell, Quentin Tarantino, and Regis Philbin.[1] He was also an animal rights advocate.[1]

James Best was a born-again Christian; when he converted is unknown, but it was sometime during or after The Dukes Of Hazzard.

Death

[edit]

Best died on April 6, 2015, at the age of 88, in Hickory, North Carolina, from complications of pneumonia.[12]

Prior to his death, Best's former Dukes of Hazzard co-star and longtime friend John Schneider said: "I laughed and learned more from Jimmie in one hour than from anyone else in a whole year." He also added that, when asked to cry for the camera, "(Best) would say, 'sure thing, which eye?' I'm forever thankful to have cut my teeth in the company of such a fine man."[13] Nearly one year after Best's death, Schneider said about his working relationship with Best:

He was amazing in everything he did; he was not just a funny guy. In fact, I think the comedic timing came to him later on in life because before that he was a very serious actor. I was very fortunate to have grown up working with people like Jimmie Best and Denver Pyle and Sorrell Booke. Incredibly talented men, incredibly talented actors.[14]

Filmography

[edit]

Further reading

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

James Best

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James Best (July 26, 1926 – April 6, 2015) was an American character actor and acting teacher best known for portraying the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on the CBS television series The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979 to 1985.[1] Born Jewel Franklin Guy in Powderly, Kentucky, Best was orphaned at the age of three following the death of his mother and was adopted at age four by Armen and Essa Best, who renamed him Jimmie and raised him in Corydon, Indiana.[1] He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1944 during World War II and later joined a military theater troupe, which sparked his interest in acting.[2] Best began his professional career in the early 1950s, appearing in Western films and television shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show, and Gunsmoke, amassing over 87 film credits and more than 600 television appearances across a six-decade span.[2] His role as the comedic, corrupt sheriff in The Dukes of Hazzard—a show that ran for seven seasons and became a cultural phenomenon—cemented his fame, with Best often improvising lines and drawing on his charm to bring depth to the character, as he reflected: "Rosco—let’s face it—was a charmer. It was a fun thing."[1] Beyond performing, Best was a respected educator who founded one of the first schools teaching motion picture acting techniques in the 1970s and later taught at the University of Central Florida for 25 years, mentoring notable students including Burt Reynolds and Quentin Tarantino.[2] He relocated to Hickory, North Carolina, in 2006 and continued acting into his later years, with his final film role in The Sweeter Side of Life (2013), produced by his daughter Janeen Damian.[1] Best was married to his third wife, Dorothy Collier, from 1986 until his death from complications of pneumonia at age 88; he was survived by Dorothy, two daughters (Janeen Damian and JoJami Best Tyler), one son (Gary Allen Best), and three grandchildren.[2]

Early life

Childhood and family background

James Best was born Jewel Franklin Guy on July 26, 1926, in Powderly, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, to parents Larkin Jasper Guy and Lena Mae Everly Guy—the sister of Ike Everly, father of the Everly Brothers—the youngest of nine children.[3][1] At age three, following his mother's death in 1929, Best was orphaned, briefly placed in an orphanage, and subsequently adopted by Armen and Essa Best, a farming couple who renamed him Jimmie Best.[3][1] The family relocated to Corydon, Indiana, where Best was raised on their farm amid the hardships of the Great Depression, a period marked by widespread economic struggle in rural America.[3][1] Best's upbringing involved the rigors of farm labor, contributing to the development of his work ethic and appreciation for family unity in the face of adversity.[3] His adoptive father introduced him to outdoor pursuits like fishing and hunting, fostering a connection to nature that influenced his later life.[4] Local storytelling traditions and radio dramas further sparked his early fascination with narrative, shaping his path toward performance.

Education and early aspirations

James Best, born Jewel Franklin Guy on July 26, 1926, in Powderly, Kentucky, faced significant hardships in his early years that shaped his resilience and determination. The youngest of nine children to parents Lena Mae Everly Guy and Larkin Jasper Guy, he was orphaned at age three following his mother's death in 1929. Placed in an orphanage shortly after, Best was adopted at age four by the childless couple Armen and Essa Best, who renamed him Jimmie and raised him in Corydon, Indiana.[1] These early family challenges provided a motivational backdrop for his later pursuits, instilling a drive to seek better opportunities despite limited resources.[5] Best's formal education took place in Corydon, where he graduated from Corydon High School in 1944. With no documented formal drama training during this period, his early exposure to performance came through personal interests inspired by Hollywood films and radio broadcasts, though he primarily self-educated by immersing himself in plays and soap operas. At age 18, shortly after graduation, Best enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces amid World War II, serving initially as a B-17 gunner trainee before being reassigned to military police duties in Germany. It was during this service that his passion for acting ignited; he joined an Army entertainment unit and performed in productions such as My Sister Eileen, marking his initial steps toward a professional career in the arts.[1][6][7] Following his discharge in 1946, Best's aspirations led him to hitchhike to New York City, where he pursued stage opportunities and worked odd jobs, including as a fashion model, to support himself while auditioning for roles. This period of self-reliance and determination, fueled by his wartime experiences, transitioned him toward relocation to California in 1947, setting the stage for his entry into film and television. Despite the absence of structured training, Best's innate talent and perseverance—honed through early adversities—propelled him into a prolific acting career.[5][1]

Film career

Early film roles (1950s–1960s)

James Best made his screen debut in the 1950 film noir One Way Street, portraying an uncredited henchman role as a driver in this Universal-International production directed by Hugo Fregonese.[8] Shortly thereafter, he signed a contract with Universal-International Pictures, which propelled him into a steady stream of supporting roles in B-movies, particularly Westerns, allowing him to hone his craft as a character actor.[9] This early affiliation with the studio marked the beginning of a prolific phase, where Best's rugged good looks and intense screen presence positioned him as a reliable presence in low-budget genre fare. Throughout the 1950s, Best became a staple in Hollywood Westerns, often cast as rugged villains, outlaws, or loyal sidekicks. Notable early appearances include his role as Crater, a young cowboy in Anthony Mann's landmark Western Winchester '73 (1950), starring James Stewart, which highlighted his ability to convey gritty determination in ensemble casts.[10] That same year, he portrayed Cole Younger in Kansas Raiders, a Civil War-era drama directed by Ray Enright, depicting the infamous outlaw alongside Audie Murphy as Jesse James.[11] By mid-decade, Best expanded into historical dramas, playing Jason Brown, a fervent abolitionist supporter and son of the radical John Brown, in Charles Marquis Warren's Seven Angry Men (1955). He appeared in over 20 films during the decade, frequently collaborating with acclaimed directors like Anthony Mann and Budd Boetticher—the latter in projects such as The Cimarron Kid (1952) and Ride Lonesome (1959), where he essayed antagonists like Billy John—solidifying his reputation for portraying morally ambiguous frontiersmen. Best also gained cult status for his lead role as Thorne Sherman in the horror film The Killer Shrews (1959).[12][13] In the 1960s, Best began transitioning to more varied dramatic roles, demonstrating his versatility beyond pure Western archetypes. In Sidney Salkow's The Quick Gun (1964), he took on the authoritative part of Sheriff Scotty Grant, a steadfast lawman aiding protagonist Audie Murphy against bandits, adding layers of moral complexity to his cowboy personas. Similarly, these performances underscored his evolution from typecast heavy to a multifaceted supporting player capable of dramatic depth.

Later film appearances (1970s–2000s)

In the 1970s, James Best shifted toward supporting roles in a variety of genres, moving beyond his earlier Western focus to dramas, comedies, and action films. He portrayed the antagonistic Sheriff Charlie Young in the 1972 family drama Sounder, directed by Martin Ritt, where his character enforces racial injustice during the Great Depression, contributing to the film's exploration of African American resilience; the movie received four Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture.[14] That same year, Best played Rev. Emory Neill in the low-budget sci-fi thriller The Brain Machine, a story about mind control experiments.[15] In 1976, he appeared as the quirky Dewey Barksdale, a cross-dressing lumber mill owner, in the musical drama Ode to Billy Joe, adapted from the hit song and emphasizing Southern Gothic themes.[16] He also took on the role of Jim, a silent film-era director, in Peter Bogdanovich's nostalgic comedy Nickelodeon, starring alongside Ryan O'Neal and Burt Reynolds.[15] Best's collaborations with Burt Reynolds extended into action and stunt-driven projects later in the decade. In 1977, he played the cruel Texan thief in Rolling Thunder, a gritty revenge thriller directed by John Flynn, noted for its intense violence and influence on later vigilante films.[16] The following year, Best portrayed Cully, a fellow stuntman and friend to Reynolds's character, in the high-energy comedy Hooper, which celebrated the stunt profession and featured real-life daredevil sequences.[16] These roles highlighted Best's versatility in ensemble casts during a period when his television commitments, particularly The Dukes of Hazzard starting in 1979, began to dominate his career.[16] Film appearances became sporadic in the 1980s and 1990s as Best focused on television, but he occasionally returned to the screen in independent and reunion projects. In 1998, he starred as and co-wrote Death Mask, a supernatural horror film about a cursed mask, marking one of his rare leading roles in later years.[16][17] The 2000s saw a modest resurgence with family-oriented features; Best played Hank Larson, a wise uncle figure, in the 2006 romantic comedy Hot Tamale, directed by Michael Damian.[15][18] He followed this with the role of the gruff Mr. McClancy in the 2007 equestrian drama Moondance Alexander, a heartwarming story of a girl's bond with a horse.[16] In 2012, Best reprised and expanded on his early career by starring as Thorne Sherman and writing the script for Return of the Killer Shrews, a direct-to-video sequel to his 1959 cult horror film, blending nostalgia with low-budget monster effects.[19] His final film role came in 2013 as Paddy Kerrigan in the lighthearted Hallmark-style comedy The Sweeter Side of Life.[15]

Television career

Pre-1980s television work

James Best made his television debut in 1953 in the Hallmark Hall of Fame episode "McCoy of Abilene." Over the course of the 1950s and 1960s, he amassed nearly 200 television credits, establishing himself as a prolific performer in episodic formats. His early work often drew on his experience in film Westerns, lending authenticity to his portrayals of rugged characters in the genre.[6][20][21] In the 1950s, Best frequently appeared in Western series, including two episodes of The Adventures of Kit Carson in 1954–1955, where he played supporting roles such as Henry Jordan.[22] He also guest-starred twice in the syndicated Annie Oakley that same year, portraying Scott Warren in "Outlaw Mesa" and Jess Dugan in "Annie and the Outlaw's Son." These roles highlighted his versatility in frontier settings, often as outlaws or allies navigating moral dilemmas.[23] Best ventured into dramatic anthology programming with notable turns in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1958, he starred as the anxious Norman Frayne in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Death Sentence," a tale of paranoia and unintended consequences.[24] He appeared in three episodes of The Twilight Zone: as the skeptical Johnny Rob in "The Grave" (1961), confronting a gunslinger's legacy; as the enigmatic Jeff Myrtlebank in "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" (1962), a man suspected of supernatural resurrection after rising from his own coffin; and as Billy Ben Turner in "Jess-Belle" (1963), a man entangled in a witch's curse.[25][26][27] Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Best's television career diversified across genres, with recurring guest spots that showcased his range from villains to comic figures. He appeared in three episodes of Bonanza, including as Carl Reagan in "The Fugitive" (1961), Page in "The Legacy" (1963), and Will Hewitt in "The Price of Salt" (1968). On Gunsmoke, he played antagonists in multiple installments, such as the arrogant Dal Creed in "With a Smile" (1963), the desperate Beal in "The Glory and the Mud" (1964), and Charlie Noon in "Charlie Noon" (1969).[28][29][30] In lighter fare, Best portrayed the talented but timid guitarist Jim Lindsey in two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show: "The Guitar Player" (1960) and "Guitar Player Returns" (1961), roles that demonstrated his knack for authoritative yet humorous characters.[31] These varied performances solidified his reputation as a reliable television staple before the 1980s.

The Dukes of Hazzard

James Best was cast in 1979 as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS action-comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, portraying the bumbling yet endearing lawman across all 146 episodes from 1979 to 1985.[32][1] Rosco served as the corrupt but comically inept sheriff of Hazzard County, often scheming alongside Boss Hogg while pursuing the Duke cousins in high-speed chases that highlighted Best's physical comedy. The character's backstory positioned him as a small-town enforcer with a childish vernacular, frequently botching arrests and uttering malapropisms during pursuits.[3][33] Best drew on his prior experience in Western television roles to infuse Rosco with a folksy demeanor, enhancing the character's appeal through improvised dialogue that elevated the scripts. He frequently ad-libbed lines, introducing catchphrases like "possum on a gumbush" and exclamations during crashes, which became hallmarks of Rosco's endearing incompetence. Behind the scenes, Best shared a strong rapport with co-stars Sorrell Booke, who played the scheming Boss Hogg, and Denver Pyle as the wise Uncle Jesse, fostering on-set chemistry that amplified their comedic interplay in car chases and schemes.[1][33][34] The role marked the peak of Best's career, reviving his visibility after decades in film and television and providing financial stability through syndication and merchandising, though it led to typecasting as the hapless sheriff in subsequent offers. Best reprised Rosco in the 1997 made-for-TV reunion movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! and the 2000 sequel The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood, maintaining the character's legacy for fans. Despite the performance's popularity, Best received no Emmy nomination for the series.[32][35][34]

Post-Dukes television roles

Following the conclusion of The Dukes of Hazzard in 1985, James Best continued to appear in television, primarily in guest roles and made-for-TV films that often drew on his established reputation as a character actor in law enforcement or folksy authority figures. His post-series work was sporadic, reflecting a shift toward selective engagements amid his growing focus on teaching acting and other pursuits.[36] In 1990, Best guest-starred in the episode "Night Train" of the ABC crime drama B.L. Stryker, portraying Mr. Parkinson, a figure involved in protecting a young witness during a tense train journey. The following year, he appeared in the NBC series In the Heat of the Night episode "Sweet, Sweet Blues," playing Nathan Bedford, a retired sheriff haunted by a past murder he committed decades earlier, a role that allowed him to explore themes of redemption in a Southern Gothic setting. These appearances showcased Best's versatility in dramatic guest spots on popular procedural shows.[37][38] Best reprised his iconic role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in two made-for-television reunion movies. In 1997's The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, he reunited with much of the original cast for a nostalgic adventure involving family reunions and small-town mischief. He returned for the 2000 sequel, The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood, where Rosco joins the Duke brothers in a trip to California amid Hollywood hijinks.[17] In the 2010s, as Best entered semi-retirement, his television output diminished but included a final notable role in the 2013 Hallmark Channel romantic comedy TV movie The Sweeter Side of Life, where he played Paddy Kerrigan, a wise mentor figure aiding the protagonist's personal growth after a divorce. Overall, Best accumulated fewer than a dozen post-Dukes television credits, emphasizing cameos and supportive roles that underscored his legacy in ensemble-driven stories.[39]

Other professional activities

Artistic pursuits

James Best developed a passion for painting as a creative outlet alongside his acting career, beginning around the 1970s after starting in high school. He worked primarily in oils, watercolors, and mixed media, focusing on landscapes and floral subjects that captured serene, natural scenes.[40][41] Best's artworks were showcased through private exhibitions in major cities including Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and Los Angeles, California, where he connected with collectors and fans. He frequently participated in the Mount Dora Arts Festival in Florida, displaying dozens of pieces and engaging directly with attendees to discuss his process and inspirations. Prices for his paintings varied widely, from affordable smaller works at $60 to larger pieces fetching up to $8,000, such as a 14-by-16-inch acrylic depiction of a barn sold in Atlanta.[41][42] In addition to traditional landscapes, Best incorporated elements from his iconic role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazzard, creating vibrant scenes featuring the show's famous General Lee car and other Hazzard County motifs. These works appealed particularly to fans, with prints and originals auctioned for charitable causes tied to Dukes events. Painting provided Best with therapeutic relief during intense filming schedules, allowing him to unwind and channel his observations of rural American life into visual form.[43][44][41]

Teaching and writing

In the 1970s, Best founded the first school dedicated to teaching motion picture acting techniques in Los Angeles, where he served as a coach and taught drama and acting techniques for over 25 years.[45] His classes emphasized practical skills drawn from his own experiences in the industry, helping aspiring performers navigate the challenges of professional acting.[45] Among Best's notable students were future stars including Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Teri Garr, and Farrah Fawcett, whom he mentored during their early development as actors.[20] He also held academic positions, acting as artist-in-residence at the University of Mississippi to teach film technique and drama, and delivering classes at the University of Central Florida.[20] In addition to teaching, Best contributed to acting literature through his 2009 autobiography, Best in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.[46] The memoir chronicles his journey from an orphaned youth in Kentucky to a Hollywood veteran, recounting key roles in Westerns and television while providing candid insights into the glamour, hardships, and survival strategies of show business.[46]

Personal life and later years

Marriages and family

Best was first married, a union that ended in divorce and produced one son, Gary Allen Best.[1] His second marriage was to Jobee Ayers in 1959; the couple had two daughters, Janeen (born 1961) and JoJami, before divorcing in 1977.[47] In 1986, Best married actress Dorothy Collier, with whom he shared the remainder of his life until his death nearly three decades later.[3] Collier provided steadfast support for Best's post-acting endeavors, particularly his passion for painting, including commissioning collections of his artwork for public display and sharing personal stories of their life together.[48][49] Best maintained close family ties throughout his career, exemplified by his emphasis on familial involvement during the production of The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985), when his daughter Janeen Damian made on-set visits and even appeared as an actress in the 1983 episode "A Baby for the Dukes."[50] Janeen Damian later built her own career in the entertainment industry as an actress, screenwriter, and producer, often collaborating with her husband, Michael Damian.[51]

Health challenges and retirement

In the mid-1970s, Best opted for semi-retirement from full-time acting to pursue teaching and artistic endeavors, serving as artist-in-residence at the University of Mississippi where he instructed over 650 students in drama techniques.[21] This shift allowed him to manage the physical demands of his earlier stunt-heavy roles while channeling energy into education and painting, activities that became central to his later professional life.[21] By the late stages of his career, physical ailments significantly restricted Best's on-screen work, prompting a further emphasis on non-physical pursuits such as running an acclaimed acting workshop in Los Angeles and producing occasional voice recordings.[21] These health limitations, which emerged prominently in his later decades, curtailed demanding roles and led to a gradual withdrawal from public performances, though he maintained selective engagements like personal appearances at fan events.[36] Best's retirement centered on a quieter existence in Hickory, North Carolina, alongside his wife Dorothy, whom he married in 1986; the couple prioritized low-key activities, including his ongoing art exhibitions and sporadic convention visits, supported by family during periods of health management.[52] By the 2010s, his contributions were largely confined to voice work, reflecting ongoing constraints that prevented more physically intensive commitments.[53]

Death and legacy

Circumstances of death

James Best, aged 88, was receiving hospice care in Hickory, North Carolina, after a brief illness complicated by pneumonia in early April 2015.[3] He died peacefully on the evening of April 6, 2015, with the official cause listed as complications from pneumonia, worsened by age-related frailty.[1][54] His wife of 29 years, Dorothy Best, announced the death the following day, confirming it occurred at a local hospice facility near their home.[50]

Tributes and enduring influence

Following Best's death on April 6, 2015, numerous tributes poured in from his Dukes of Hazzard co-stars, highlighting his humor, creativity, and mentorship. Ben Jones, known as Cooter Davenport, described Best as "the most constantly creative person I have ever known," noting his lifelong dedication to acting, writing, directing, teaching, painting, and laughing, calling him a "true Renaissance Man and a great American."[55] John Schneider, who portrayed Bo Duke, praised Best as "one of the most amazing men I've ever known," emphasizing his skills as an actor, teacher, artist, and friend, and recalled, "I laughed and learned more from Jimmie in one hour than in four years of college. He was a great teacher and a better friend."[55] Sonny Shroyer, Best's on-screen deputy Enos Strate, added that Best was "a great friend and a great actor" who would be deeply missed.[56] Fans honored Best through ongoing tributes at Dukes of Hazzard conventions, where attendees often held moments of silence, shared personal stories, and celebrated his portrayal of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane during annual gatherings.[57] These events, organized by fan associations, featured panels discussing his contributions and impersonator performances that kept his character's spirit alive.[58] Best's funeral was a private service held shortly after his passing, with burial in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, Indiana, his childhood hometown.[59] In lieu of flowers, his family requested donations to local Humane Society chapters, reflecting his love for animals.[48] Best's portrayal of the bumbling yet endearing Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane left an enduring mark on popular culture, inspiring parodies of inept law enforcement figures in subsequent media, such as comedic sheriff archetypes in animated series and films that echoed Rosco's malapropisms and slapstick chases. From 2015 to 2025, revivals including podcasts like Our American Stories credited Best's improvisational style for enhancing the show's humor, with episodes recounting how his ad-libbed lines, such as unique insults and dog-related quips with his on-screen basset hound Flash, added spontaneity to scenes.[60] Interviews preserved online, including those where Best discussed his ad-libbing techniques, continue to influence aspiring actors.[61] In the 2020s, fans have bolstered Best's legacy through efforts to promote and preserve his artwork, with his official website and fan club showcasing original pieces like Dukes of Hazzard-themed giclée prints, ensuring his multifaceted talents as a painter remain accessible.[62] Additionally, recordings of Best's acting workshops and interviews from his decades-long teaching career—where he mentored stars like Burt Reynolds on naturalistic screen performance—have been shared by enthusiasts.[63]

Filmography

Film credits

James Best's film career spanned over five decades, with more than 80 feature film appearances, predominantly in low-budget westerns and supporting roles during the 1950s. The following table presents a comprehensive chronological listing of his theatrical film credits, drawn from reliable archival sources, noting uncredited roles where applicable. Roles in TV movies are excluded.[64][65]
YearTitleRole
1950One Way StreetDriver (uncredited)
1950Comanche TerritorySam
1950I Was a ShoplifterPolice Broadcaster in Surveillance Room
1950Kansas RaidersCole Younger
1950The Cimarron Kid
1950Winchester '73Crater
1950Ma and Pa Kettle at the FairMarvin Johnson
1950PeggyFrank
1950Steel TownJoe Rakich
1951Air CadetJerry Connell
1951The Battle at Apache Pass
1951The Great Missouri Raid
1951The Last Outpost
1951Target UnknownRalph G. Phelps
1951The Golden Horde
1951The People Against O'Hara
1951Riders to the Stars
1952About FaceHal's roommate
1952The Caine MutinyLt. Jorgensen
1952The Black Castle
1952Flat TopRadar operator
1952Francis Goes to West PointCpl. Ransom
1952The Half-Breed
1952The Lawless Breed
1952The Raiders
1952The Savage
1952The Duel at Silver CreekPecos
1953The Beast from 20,000 FathomsRadar Technician (uncredited)
1953City of Bad MenGig
1953Column SouthPrimrose
1953The President's LadySamuel Donelson
1953SeminoleCpl. Gerard
1953The Charge at Feather River
1953The Man from the Alamo
1953The Redhead from Wyoming
1953The Stranger Wore a Gun
1954Apache
1954The Bounty Hunter
1954The Command
1954Return from the SeaBarr
1954Riders to the StarsSidney Fuller
1954The RaidLt. Robinson
1954They Rode WestLt. Finlay
1954The Yellow TomahawkPvt. Bliss
1955The Eternal SeaPilot Student (uncredited)
1955Seven Angry MenJason Brown
1955The Last Command
1955The Naked Dawn
1955The Prodigal
1955The Return of Jack Slade
1955The Tall Men
1955The Violent Men
1956Calling HomicideArnie Arnholf
1956Come Next SpringBill Jackson
1956Forbidden PlanetCrewman (uncredited)
1956GabyJim
1956Hot Summer NightKermit
1956The Proud Ones
1956The RackLt. David 'Millard' Cassidy
1956The Rawhide Years
1956When Gangland StrikesJerry Ames
1957Last of the BadmenTed Hamilton
1957Man on the ProwlDoug Gerhardt
1957The Oklahoman
1957The Restless Breed
1957The Tall T
1957The Tin Star
1958Cole Younger, GunfighterKit Caswell
1958The Fiend Who Walked the West
1958The Gun Runners
1958The Left Handed GunTom Folliard
1958The Naked and the DeadRidges
1958The Young Lions
1959Cast a Long ShadowSam Muller
1959The Hanging Tree
1959The Horse Soldiers
1959The Jayhawkers!
1959The Killer ShrewsThorne Sherman
1959Ride LonesomeBilly John
1959Verboten!Sgt. David Brent
1959The Wonderful Country
1960The Mountain RoadSgt. Niergaard
1963Black GoldJericho Larkin
1963Shock CorridorStuart
1964The Quick GunScotty Grant
1965Black SpursSheriff Elkins
1965ShenandoahCarter
1966Three on a CouchDr. Ben Mizer
1967First to FightSgt. Carnavan
1968FirecreekDrew
1972SounderSheriff Young
1972The Brain MachineRev. Emory Neill
1974SavagesSheriff Bert Hamilton
1976NickelodeonJim
1976Ode to Billy JoeDewey Barksdale
1977Rolling ThunderTexan
1978HooperCully
1978The End
1990Night Train
1998Death MaskWilbur Johnson
2005Hot TamaleJudge Harlan Cole
2007Moondance AlexanderMr. McClancy
2008The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert AdamsJudge Carr
2012Return of the Killer ShrewsUncle Fred[66]

Television credits

James Best's television career was prolific, encompassing over 200 appearances across series, guest spots, miniseries, and TV movies from the early 1950s until the early 2010s. He frequently portrayed supporting characters in Westerns and dramas during the 1950s and 1960s, transitioning to more comedic roles in the 1970s and beyond, with his most iconic performance as the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the long-running series The Dukes of Hazzard. His work ranged from one-off guest roles to recurring parts and voice acting, often highlighting his skill in bringing depth to antagonists and everyman figures.[36][67][20] The following table presents a chronological selection of his notable television credits, focusing on series regulars, significant guest appearances, and specials (TV movies included where broadcast on television). This is not exhaustive but representative of his extensive output, with episode counts provided where available for context on recurring roles.[65][68]
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodesType
1950Fireside TheatreUnspecified1Guest
1951The Lone RangerUnspecified1Guest
1952The Adventures of Kit CarsonUnspecified1Guest
1953The Roy Rogers ShowUnspecified1Guest
1954Schlitz Playhouse of StarsUnspecified1Guest
1955The Adventures of Rin Tin TinUnspecified1Guest
1956CheyenneUnspecified1Guest
1957MaverickUnspecified1Guest
1958Alfred Hitchcock PresentsNorman Frayne1Guest
1958Tombstone TerritoryUnspecified1Guest
1958Climax!Unspecified1Guest
1958Wagon TrainUnspecifiedMultipleGuest
1959The Twilight ZoneJohnny Rob1 ("The Grave")Guest
1960Stagecoach WestUnspecified3Recurring guest
1960–1961The Andy Griffith ShowJim Lindsey2Recurring guest
1960Lock-UpUnspecified1Guest
1961GunsmokeUnspecifiedMultipleGuest
1961Ben CaseyUnspecified1Guest
1961Whispering SmithUnspecified1Guest
1963Perry MasonMartin Potter1 ("The Case of the Surplus Suitor")Guest
1963The Twilight ZoneJeff Myrtlebank1 ("The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank")Guest
1964RawhideUnspecified1Guest
1965The Big ValleyUnspecified1Guest
1966The Wild Wild WestUnspecified1Guest
1967The High ChaparralUnspecified1Guest
1968The Mod SquadClay1Guest
1969Hawaii Five-OUnspecified1Guest
1970The F.B.I.Unspecified1Guest
1970Dan AugustWiley1Guest
1972NicholsUnspecified1Guest
1973Kung FuUnspecified1Guest
1974Little House on the PrairieUnspecified1Guest
1975Barbary CoastUnspecified1Guest
1976The Bionic WomanUnspecified1Guest
1977Charlie’s AngelsUnspecified1Guest
1979–1985The Dukes of HazzardSheriff Rosco P. Coltrane146Series regular
1983The DukesSheriff Rosco P. Coltrane7Series regular (spin-off)
1990Night TrainUnspecifiedTV movieLead
1997The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!Sheriff Rosco P. ColtraneTV movieRecurring character
1998Death MaskWilburTV movieSupporting
2000The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in HollywoodSheriff Rosco P. ColtraneTV movieRecurring character
2013The Sweeter Side of LifePaddy Kerrigan1TV movie[39]
Best also provided voice work in later projects, though specific episode details are limited in available records; his final credited television appearance was the role of Paddy Kerrigan in the 2013 TV movie The Sweeter Side of Life.[65][69]

References

  1. James Best dies at 88; actor played sheriff in 'Dukes of Hazzard'
  2. 'Dukes of Hazzard' actor James Best, who played Sheriff Coltrane ...
  3. James Best, Bumbling Sheriff of 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' Dies at 88
  4. Kentucky Born, Indiana Raised, James Best Dies at 88 - WEHT
  5. 'Dukes of Hazzard' sheriff James Best dies at age 88
  6. James Best Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements
  7. Best, 'Hazzard's' beloved Rosco P. Coltrane, dies - Madison Courier
  8. One Way Street (1950) - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
  9. James Best - Brian's Drive-In Theater
  10. Winchester '73 (1950) - James Best as Crater - IMDb
  11. James Best as Cole Younger - Kansas Raiders (1950) - IMDb
  12. James Best/Filmography | Absolute Western Wiki - Fandom
  13. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/90934/sounder
  14. James Best Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
  15. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/15495|197128/Jimmy-Best
  16. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_killer_shrews
  17. James Best | Television Academy
  18. James Best - Biography - IMDb
  19. The Adventures of Kit Carson (TV Series 1951–1960) - Full cast ...
  20. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" Death Sentence (TV Episode 1958) - IMDb
  21. "The Twilight Zone" The Grave (TV Episode 1961) - IMDb
  22. "The Twilight Zone" The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank (TV ... - IMDb
  23. "Bonanza" The Fugitive (TV Episode 1961) - IMDb
  24. "Gunsmoke" With a Smile (TV Episode 1963) - IMDb
  25. "Gunsmoke" The Glory and the Mud (TV Episode 1964) - IMDb
  26. "The Andy Griffith Show" The Guitar Player (TV Episode 1960) - IMDb
  27. James Best, Sheriff on 'Dukes of Hazzard,' Dies at 88 - Variety
  28. James Best: Character actor best known for his role as the hapless
  29. James Best Dead: 'Dukes of Hazzard' Sheriff Dies at 88
  30. 'Dukes of Hazzard' Sheriff Sues Warner Bros. for Millions in Royalties
  31. James Best (1926-2015) - IMDb
  32. "B.L. Stryker" Night Train (TV Episode 1990) - IMDb
  33. "In the Heat of the Night" Sweet, Sweet Blues (TV Episode 1991)
  34. Death Mask (1998) - IMDb
  35. The Sweeter Side of Life (TV Movie 2013) - IMDb
  36. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/james_best_700501
  37. 'DUKES OF HAZZARD' STAR ENJOYS ART SHOW JAMES BEST ...
  38. Longtime Central Florida resident, 'Dukes of Hazzard' star James ...
  39. The General Lee, by James Best, BIG Original Painting - WorthPoint
  40. https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/auction-dukes-of-hazzard-package-3-giclee-prints-by-767215
  41. James Best - Trivia - IMDb
  42. Best in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful
  43. 'Dukes of Hazzard' star James Best dead at 88 - The BayNet
  44. Remembering Jimmie - James Best
  45. Tribute show planned for James Best | Local News | mtairynews.com
  46. 'Dukes of Hazzard' actor James Best dies - CNN
  47. Janeen Damian - Biography - IMDb
  48. James Best: The Dukes of Hazzard Sheriff Dead at 88 - People.com
  49. James Best (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors
  50. Dukes of Hazzard star James Best dies at 88 - BBC News
  51. James Best Obituary (2015) - Hickory, NC - Legacy
  52. 'Dukes of Hazzard' Actor James Best Dies - WGXA
  53. Stars of The Dukes of Hazzard Remember James Best
  54. James Best Has Passed Away - Dukes of Hazzard Forums
  55. James Best Fan Club - Facebook
  56. Sheriff Rosco Impersonator - Vegas Tributes
  57. James Best (1926-2015) - Memorials - Find a Grave
  58. The Story of James Best (AKA Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane ... - Spotify
  59. James Best Interview | Part 8: Ad-libbing - YouTube
  60. James Best - Rosco P. Coltrane, Dukes of Hazzard, Collectibles Stores
  61. James Best Obituary (1926 - 2015) - Hickory, NC ... - Legacy.com
  62. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/15495|197128/James-Best
  63. James Best(1926-2015) - IMDb
  64. About Jimmie - James Best
  65. James Best - TMDB
  66. James Best - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
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