Dukes of Hazzard star Ben Jones dies aged 84

Tributes pour in for American actor and former politician, Ben Jones

His death was confirmed by his wife, Alma Viator, who said he suffered a heart attack on Sunday, news that will resonate with Irish fans of the classic action-comedy, which ran from 1979 to 1985.

As first reported by RTÉ Entertainment, Viator announced the news on Facebook.

“I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack,” she wrote, adding that he had been “home resting in his favorite chair” and had lived “the most amazing rich full life”.

The news was also carried by TMZ.

The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today.

Ben Jones was a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business. He will be sorely missed.

That tribute came from former co-star Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Virginia, Jones took up acting while studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before landing the role that would define his career.

His passing adds to other recent celebrity deaths that have marked the summer for fans of a certain vintage of television.