Life member James Best

[Major 2]

 James Best  actor and Life member of NCOWS has passed 
well known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on "The Dukes of Hazzard"
He was voted a life member of NCOWS in 2014
He died Monday night in hospice care in Hickory, NC  from complications of pneumonia.
He was 88

[Johnson Barr]

One of those early character actors that always seemed to take a head shot. In two of Jimmy Stewart' movies; Winchester '73 and Shenandoah at least. Then there was the hair trigger that got him in Fire Creek. RIP Pard.

[Navy Six]

Remember him from a lot of TV shows in the 60's and he always seemed to deliver a fine performance. I believe it was him in an 'Alfred Hitchcock" episode called "The Jar" that gave me nightmares as a kid.

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[Irish Dave]

I had the unique opportunity to become friends with him a couple of years back and will always treasure the hours I got to spend with him. He was a true gentleman and an actor of great skill. His body of work in TV and film was more than substantial and included a number of outstanding Westerns -- both features and TV episodes.

Although most folks today knew him primarily for his work on The Dukes of Hazzard, we had a great time talking about his older work -- everything from Westerns (such as my favorite James Best western "Ride Lonesome" with Randolph Scott, James Coburn and Pernell Roberts) to The Twilight Zone and many, many other appearances.

Only yesterday, I was talking to a friend of mine about him doing an interview with James for The Shootist -- talking about his career in Westerns, but sadly that will now never be. He noted one time that he "always wanted to be a cowboy" and I am grateful to NCOWs for giving him a chance to be as close to one as we can provide in this day and age.

I will truly miss him. He was a good and gentle man and "one to ride the river with."


Ride easy, pard.

[OklaTom]

I had the unique opportunity to become friends with him a couple of years back and will always treasure the hours I got to spend with him. He was a true gentleman and an actor of great skill. His body of work in TV and film was more than substantial and included a number of outstanding Westerns -- both features and TV episodes.

Although most folks today knew him primarily for his work on The Dukes of Hazzard, we had a great time talking about his older work -- everything from Westerns (such as my favorite James Best western "Ride Lonesome" with Randolph Scott, James Coburn and Pernell Roberts) to The Twilight Zone and many, many other appearances.

Only yesterday, I was talking to a friend of mine about him doing an interview with James for The Shootist -- talking about his career in Westerns, but sadly that will now never be. He noted one time that he "always wanted to be a cowboy" and I am grateful to NCOWs for giving him a chance to be as close to one as we can provide in this day and age.

I will truly miss him. He was a good and gentle man and "one to ride the river with."


Ride easy, pard.

Rest in peach, Mr. Best.  I have seen you as Roscoe P Coltrain, as well as numerous roles in western movies.  Your distinctive laugh always brought a smile to my face, no matter what role you were playing.  KYUCK KUCK KYUCK.  You will be missed.