James, best known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on TV series 'The Dukes of Hazzard', died at the age of 88 due to pneumonia-related complications.
- Apr 8, 2015
AceShowbiz - James Best died at the age of 88. Her wife Dorothy Best confirmed on Tuesday, April 7 that the sheriff of "The Dukes of Hazzard" died at a hospice care center in Hickory, N.C. She explained that her husband had a brief battle with pneumonia complications before passing away on Monday, April 6.
Some of his colleagues paid tribute to the actor, saying good things about him. Co-star John Schneider, who starred as Bo Duke in the show, paid his last tribute to the prolific actor, addressing him as "a fine man."
"I learned more about acting in front of a camera from Jimmie Best in an afternoon than from anyone else in a year," John said in a statement. "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."
Another co-star Rick Hurst who played Cletus Hogg said, "I will always love Jimmie for his kindness to me, remembering him for his sparkling, piercing wit, and envying him for his full head of hair."
In addition to the two, production director of the show Pam Livingstone said on Tuesday, "He was very funny. Actors loved working with him. He was a real kick in the head."
Best was a senior actor playing in dozens of movies like "The Caine Mutiny" alongside Humphrey Bogart, and "Shenandoah" with Jimmy Stewart. He also appeared on some popular TV shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Bonanza" and "The Andy Griffith Show."
