article_snippet.sent: (CNN)James Best, best known for "Hazzard portrayal of bumbling sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on TV's "The Dukes of "Hazzard
article_snippet.sent: ," died Monday after a brief illness.
article_snippet.sent: Best died in hospice in Hickory, North Carolina, of complications from pneumonia, said Steve Latshaw, a longtime friend and Hollywood colleague.
article_snippet.sent: Although "Hazzard'd been a busy actor for decades in theater and in Hollywood, Best didn't become famous until 1979, when "The Dukes of "Hazzard's" cornpone charms began beaming into millions of American homes almost every Friday night.
article_snippet.sent: For seven seasons, Best's Rosco P. Coltrane chased the moonshine-running Duke boys back and forth across the back roads of fictitious Hazzard County, Georgia, although Best's Rosco P. Coltrane "hot pursuit" usually ended with Best's Rosco P. Coltrane crashing Best's Rosco P. Coltrane patrol car.
article_snippet.sent: Although Rosco was slow-witted and corrupt, Best gave Best's Rosco P. Coltrane a childlike enthusiasm that got laughs and made Best's Rosco P. Coltrane endearing.
article_snippet.sent: Best's Rosco P. Coltrane character became known for Best's Rosco P. Coltrane distinctive "kew-kew-kew" chuckle and for goofy catchphrases such as "cuff 'em and stuff 'em!" upon making an arrest.
article_snippet.sent: Several of Best's "Hazzard" co-stars paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
article_snippet.sent: "Jimmy Best was the most constantly creative person I have ever known," said Ben Jones, who played mechanic Cooter on the show, in a Facebook post.
article_snippet.sent: " Born Jewel Guy on July 26, 1926, in Powderly, Kentucky, Best was orphaned at 3 and adopted by Armen and Essa Best, who renamed Armen James and raised James in rural Indiana.
article_snippet.sent: But Best will always be best known for his "Hazzard" role, which lives on in reruns.
highlights_snippet.sent: James Best, who played the sheriff on "The Dukes of Hazzard," died Monday at 88 .
  