James Best

Birth Name:

Jewel Franklin Guy

Birth Place:

Powderly, Kentucky, United States

Profession

Actor, Writer, Soundtrack, Producer, Director

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
After retiring from acting, he became a teacher at the University of Central Florida
Appeared in 83 movies and 600 television shows throughout his career
Best known for playing Sheriff Rosco P․ Coltrane in "The Dukes of Hazzard․"
Encouraged Lindsay Wagner to consider acting as a profession during her teenage years, when she was his family's babysitter
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

Fast Facts