--- ---  # _The Dukes of Hazzard_ Actor James Best Dies at 88 ## Video: 10 Most Iconic Movie Props Ever Sold [Watch (HLS stream): 10 Most Iconic Movie Props Ever Sold](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/6TcJ3ReX.m3u8) (2:48)  _Published 2014-03-21. With Premiere Props Hollywood Auction Extravaganza XIII set to sell some impressive Hollywood memorabilia, TIME looks back on how much some of the most iconic movie props have fetched._ by [People](https://time.com/author/people/) ## People Apr 7, 2015 4:17 PM UTC  Actor James Best as Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on the television series 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' 1982. Actor James Best as Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on the television series 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' 1982.CBS Photo Archive—Getty Images by [People](https://time.com/author/people/) ## People Apr 7, 2015 4:17 PM UTC [James Best](http://www.jamesbest.com/jamesbest.com/Welcome.html), the actor best known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS comedy _The Dukes of Hazzard_, has died. He was 88. The actor passed away Monday evening in Hickory, North Carolina, after a brief illness and complications from pneumonia, according to an [obituary](http://jamesbest.com/jamesbest.com/Welcome.html) posted to the actor’s personal website. The Kentucky-born actor appeared in many film and television roles throughout his lengthy career. His credits include_The Caine Mutiny_ (1954), alongside actor [Humphrey Bogart](http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:HumphreyBogart,00.html), and 1958’s _The Left Handed Gun_ with [Paul Newman](http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:PaulNewman,00.html). He also appeared on popular TV programs including _The Andy Griffith Show_,_Bonanza_ and _Gunsmoke_. Best’s recurring role as the silly officer of Hazzard County in _The Dukes of Hazzard_ brought him to national fame during its run from 1979 to 1985. “He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend,” costar Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, wrote in a statement included in the obituary. Sonny Shroyer, who played Deputy Sheriff Enos Strate in the series, wrote, “James Best will go down as one of the greatest actors that ever lived.” Best also formed an acting school where he taught notable Hollywood pupils including [Clint Eastwood](http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:ClintEastwood,00.html), [Farrah Fawcett](http://www.people.com/people/package/0,,20240623,00.html), [Regis Philbin](http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:RegisPhilbin,00.html) and [Quentin Tarantino](http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:QuentinTarantino,00.html). He operated the school in various forms for more than 25 years. Best never fully retired from acting. In 2014 he starred in the family stage drama _On Golden Pond_ for the [Hickory Community Theatre](http://www.hickorywellcrafted.com/live/on-golden-pond-opens-at-hickory-community-theatre/), the [_Charlotte Observer_](http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/media-scene-blog/article17597600.html) reported. In his 2009 autobiography, _Best in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful_, he addressed his feelings toward aging and death. “The only thing that makes me sad about having so little time left is leaving the people I love and those who love me,” he wrote. “There are also films and other projects that I want to get done, and there are always fish that need catching.” _This_ [_article_](http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20913427,00.html) _originally appeared on_ [_People.com_](http://www.people.com)_._ 'The Dukes of Hazzard' Actor James Best Dies at 88 ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3774025/james-best-dies-at-88/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3774025/james-best-dies-at-88/"},"headline":"The Dukes of Hazzard Actor James Best Dies at 88","datePublished":"2015-04-07T16:17:27.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-22T05:45:47.726Z","description":"The actor is best known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. 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