James Best - Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane of TV show The Dukes of Hazzard

James Best played Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane who was the stumbling, stammering law officer who chased Bo and Luke Duke (John Schneider and Tom Wopat) all over the place and most often referred to his deputies as "dipsticks" who where Enos (Sonny Shroyer) and Cletus (Rick Hurst).  He was often accompanied by his bloodhound "Flash" and took orders from the crooked Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke).  It was Best's idea to add Flash to the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard.

James Best as 'Rosco P. Coltrane'  from The Dukes of Hazzard with 'Flash'

Sonny Shroyer (Enos), John Schneider (Bo Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), and James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane) from The Dukes of Hazzard

Cast of The Dukes of Hazzard Front: John Schneider (Bo Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Denver Pyle (Uncle Jessie), Peggy Rea (Lulu Hogg), and Flash (Roscoe's dog).  Back: Ben Jones (Cooter), Sorrel Booke (Boss Hogg), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane), Sonny Shroyer (Enos)

James had an extensive acting career prior to his stint on The Dukes of Hazzard.  He starred in such films as Winchester '73 (1950), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), The Caine Mutiny (1954), Forbidden Planet (1956), Shenandoah (1965), and Hooper with Burt Reynolds (1978).  He also appeared on various TV shows such as the guitar player on The Andy Griffith Show, 77 Sunset Strip, Stagecoach West, The Twilight Zone, Rawhide, Perry Mason, Bonanza starring Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, and Dan Blocker; and the miniseries Centennial.  However, he was best known for his role as Roscoe P. Coltrane for which he reprised his role the the TV movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! in 1997.

James Best Today

After The Dukes of Hazzard James taught drama classes at places such as The University of Central Florida, the University of Mississippi, and is a well renown acting coach.  He wrote a book in 2009 titled Best In Hollywood: The Good, The Bad, and The Beautiful.  He owns a production company and still does small acting roles now and then.  His latest acting endeavor was in 2007 in Moondance Alexander.

James Best Now

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