ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Ben Jones was a Hollywood actor and Georgia Congressman, but he also lived here in Virginia.

In this visit to the WDBJ7 Archive, we remember the actor who played Cooter on the Dukes of Hazzard, and who made regular appearances in southwest Virginia.

After his run as Cooter Davenport on the popular series, and after two terms representing Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District in Washington, Ben Jones moved to Rappahannock County in northern Virginia.

And he opened Cooter’s, first in Sperryville and later in Luray.

He discussed the enduring popularity of the TV show with our sister station WHSV.

“I’ve seen people walk into our stores tear up and start to cry because of the memories of sharing this show on Friday nights with their families 30 35 years ago,” Jones said in the interview. “And that’s the greatest compliment that any show could have, that kind of lasting affection that people have. It amazes me and we’re honored by it.”

But it was his support for Democratic politicians that brought him to Southwest Virginia most often.

In October 2001, he joined the Bluegrass Brothers outside the old WDBJ7 studios on Colonial Avenue, at a pre-debate rally for Mark Warner , who was running for Governor against Republican Mark Earley.

In July 2003, he appeared at the Coffee Pot with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, at a rally for Florida Senator and Presidential Candidate Bob Graham.

“The Democratic Party came from the heartland of America, from the working people from the small-business people, from the farmers, and they’re voting the other way now. We need to win them back,” Jones told our reporter.