James ‘Roscoe’ Best dies at 88

Known and loved for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard TV series, Actor James Best has died at the age of 88.
Best passed away on Monday, April 6, at 9:28 p.m. in Hickory, NC after complications from pneumonia.
Best first received a taste in theatre while serving in the United States Army during World War II. With great dreams of being a pilot, Best enlisted in the US Army Air Corps but the Air Corps sent him to training to be a gunner and radio operator. He was later transferred to the military police. He later used his leverage and connections within the military police to join the military theatrical company and after returning home from the war, he made his way to New York City to continue his love of acting.
According to his obituary, ‘if there was ever any question that the cool, dashing and sometimes rough-edged actor of dozens of gritty westerns and war films could be believable in a comedy, the answer came in 1979 in the person of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, which would become the signature role of Jimmie’s long Hollywood career.”

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