James Best Biography

Fast Facts

• His uncle was well-known musician Ike Everly, the father of the pop duo The Everly Brothers
• First became interested in acting when he joined a military theatrical company while stationed in Germany during World War II
• Best known for playing Sheriff Rosco P․ Coltrane in "The Dukes of Hazzard․"
• Appeared in 83 movies and 600 television shows throughout his career
• After retiring from acting, he became a teacher at the University of Central Florida
• Published his autobiography in 2009 titled "Best in Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful․"
• The basset hound named Flash that accompanied his character in "The Dukes of Hazzard" was one that he, an advocate for the humane treatment of animals, had rescued from a pound
• Encouraged Lindsay Wagner to consider acting as a profession during her teenage years, when she was his family's babysitter