What Happened To The Actors From “Dukes Of Hazzard?”

Whatever happened to the good ol’ boys? 

Dukes of Hazzard followed the Duke family’s adventures, which often included endless trouble and intense car chases. Bo and Luke had a talent for finding trouble with the law, and so did some of the real-life actors. 

Find out what happened to the actors from Dukes of Hazzard below!

LUKE DUKE / TOM WOPAT

Then:

Luke, played by Tom Wopat, was the oldest of the Duke boys, and he was also viewed as the more responsible of the pair. 

 

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Now:

After portraying Luke in Dukes of Hazzard, Wopat continued to act on stage and the small screen. He also released several singles as a musical artist. Unfortunately, the actor’s most recent headlines were made in 2017 when the Wopat was arrested for drug possession and indecent assault. 

BO DUKE / JOHN SCHNEIDER

Then:

Bo, played by John Schneider, was the younger and freer spirited of the Duke boys. Bo’s headstrong attitude contributed to the string of trouble that often followed the Dukes. 

Now:

Schneider kept steady work as an actor and notably appeared in Smallville and TV film projects after his famous role. He also released several country singles in the 1980s, which performed well. Most recently, the actor appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2018. In the same year, he spent time in jail for failure to pay alimony in a hostile divorce from Elvira Castle. 

DAISY DUKE / CATHERINE BACH

Then:

Daisy, played by Catherine Bach, played the Duke brother’s mini-shorts-loving cousin who worked as a waitress. Daisy’s naive and sweet nature sometimes played a part in the family’s endless adventures and trouble. 

 

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Now:

Catherine’s role in Dukes of Hazzard created a sex symbol. Following the show’s success, Catherine insured her legs for a million dollars. She also posed for a poster that sold over 5 million copies. Since her famous role, Catherine has remained a working actress, and in 2012, she landed a recurring role on The Young and the Restless. 

UNCLE JESSIE DUKE / DENVER PYLE

Then:

Uncle Jesse, played by Denver Pyle, was a former moonshine runner and the Duke family’s patriarch. While it was never revealed how Bo, Luke, and Daisy’s parents died, viewers knew that Jesse raised the Duke kids. 

Now:

Pyle had already built a very long and successful career as an actor when he landed the role of Uncle Jesse. At the time of filming, Pyle was already 60 years old. After Dukes of Hazzard came to an end in 1985, Pyle retired from full-time acting. He died on Christmas day in 1997 and is rumored to be buried in an unmarked grave next to his second wife’s parents. He was 77 years old. 

SHERIFF ROSCO P. COLTRANE / JAMES BEST

Then:

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, played by James Best, was a bumbling and corrupt sheriff who regularly plotted against the Duke family. His schemes against the Duke brothers often ended in over-the-top car chases. 

Now:

Best had a very long resume in TV and film before he landed his role on Dukes of Hazzard. After the show ended, he wrote, directed, and performed in stage productions and even taught his craft to young hopefuls in Los Angeles workshops. Best died on April 6, 2015. He was 88 years old. 

BOSS JEFFERSON DAVIS “J.D.” HOGG / SORRELL BOOKE

Then:

Boss Hogg, played by Sorrell Booke, was the mischievous County Commissioner of Hazzard County. He was also the richest man in the county with a standing feud with Uncle Jesse, which stemmed from their days as moonshiners.

Now:

Booke was a classically trained method actor with degrees from Yale and Columbia. Booke had a long theatre, TV, and movie career before his role of Boss Hogg. After the show ended, Booke continued voice work but retired from the screen. Booke died of cancer in 1994.

COOTER DAVENPORT / BEN JONES

Then:

Cooter, played by Ben Jones, was a laid-back character who owned the local garage. Cooter was an “honorary Duke” and often helped the Duke family in their opposition against Boss Hogg and Rosco.

Now:

Ben Jones stepped aside from acting to run for political office. He was elected in Georgia as a Democrat and represented the state for four years in the United States House of Representatives. Since this, he has returned to acting part-time. He also owns several museums dedicated to the show.

Dukes of Hazzard ran for seven seasons and originally aired on CBS.