Ben Jones (born August 30, 1941) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Cooter Davenport on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard and Congressman Robert "Bob" Arnold on CBS's political drama series The West Wing.
Born in Tarboro, North Carolina, Jones attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and studied law. He graduated from the UNC School of Law in 1965 and was admitted to the North Carolina Bar the same year. While at UNC, Jones became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He then served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969.
Jones' acting career began in 1978, when he starred in the TV movie The Return of the Dukes of Hazzard. He then appeared as Cooter Davenport in the NBC television series The Dukes of Hazzard, a role he played from 1979 to 1985 and again in the 1997 TV movie. Jones also appeared in several feature films, such as The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) and The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood (2000). In addition to his acting roles, he also wrote and directed several movies.
In addition to his role in The Dukes of Hazzard, Jones also appeared in other television series, including The West Wing, where he portrayed Congressman Robert "Bob" Arnold from 2003 to 2006. In 2008, he appeared in the television movie The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning.
In 2012, Jones founded the Ben Jones Wildlife Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured wild animals. The organization also works to educate the public about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.
Jones is also active in politics. He ran as a Democrat for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's 6th Congressional District in 2002. He lost the election but continued to be an advocate for progressive causes. Jones also serves as the Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the White House.
Throughout his career, Ben Jones has earned a reputation for his commitment to service and using his voice to create positive change. From his roles on television and in films to his work as an advocate for conservation and progressive causes, Jones has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and the world.
