In the ’70s-’80s, The Dukes of Hazzard was a super popular Southern comedy show. It had a good mix of country charm, silly humor, cool car stunts, and, most importantly, a great cast. The show ran for almost 150 episodes over seven seasons, following the adventures of the Duke cousins Bo, Luke, and Daisy, as well as their uncle Jesse. They always seemed to be running from the law and getting into all sorts of tricky situations, especially when driving their trademark muscle car, General Lee. Back then, people didn’t expect too much from their TV shows.
And now it’s time to see which of the actors are still around and what they’re up to these days.
1. Tom Wopat as Luke Duke
Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, the older and more sensible Duke boy, wasn’t known only for his TV roles. Wopat has also appeared in unforgettable shows like Fantasy Island, Home Improvement, Smallville, and more recently, The Blacklist and in movies like DC’s Jonah Hex and Django Unchained.
Now, despite being 72, Wopat still appears in small movies like County Line. Aside from playing marshals and sheriffs, Wopat is also a talented musician, whose first album was released in 1983. On that note, in 2014, he released a Christmas album with his co-star John Schneider!
2. John Schneider as Bo Duke
John Schneider landed the role of Bo Duke, the wild and girl-crazy younger cousin, at just 18. After The Dukes of Hazzard, he stayed active on TV, appearing in Dr. Quinn, Diagnosis: Murder, Touched by an Angel, and even Desperate Housewives. In the 2000s, he played Jonathan Kent on Smallville.
Now 63, he has recently starred in several Hallmark and Lifetime movies, which kept him busy but also paid quite a bit. Speaking of busy, John competed on Dancing With the Stars, but he didn’t do great. Commendable effort, though!
3. Catherine Bach as Daisy Duke
Catherine Bach became a ’70s icon after portraying Daisy Duke on the eponymous Dukes of Hazzard. Her super-short denim cut-offs ignited a fashion craze, earning her the nickname “Daisy Dukes” to this day. Daisy wasn’t just a sex symbol; she added a much-needed feminine touch to the show, balancing Bo and Luke’s macho swagger. Before The Dukes of Hazzard, Bach was in the 1974 movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot with the legendary Clint Eastwood.
After her Duke days, she starred in the family drama African Skies and appeared in episodes of Monk and the Hawaii Five-O. Even after hitting 69, Bach is still an active actress, appearing on The Young and the Restless from 2012 to 2019.
4. Denver Pyle as Uncle Jesse
Uncle Jesse, the father figure of the Duke clan, was played by veteran actor Denver Pyle. Before The Dukes of Hazzard, Pyle had a long career in Westerns during the ’40s-’60s, with big roles in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Bonnie and Clyde. He also appeared in many Western TV shows and had recurring roles on The Andy Griffith Show. Pyle acted in more than 200 movies and TV shows and even directed some episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard.
After Dukes, he appeared in Dallas, L.A. Law, and some other shows. But he got that big money bag investing in oil. Sadly, Pyle passed away on Christmas Day in 1997 at age 77.
5. Ben Jones as Davenport
Ben Jones played “Crazy Cooter” Davenport, the town mechanic who helped the Dukes from time to time. After hitting it big on Dukes, he switched careers, serving as a congressman for Georgia from 1989 to 1993. Though his acting gigs dried up, Ben appeared in Primary Colors in 1998 and As the World Turns in 1999.
Now 82, Jones provides political commentary and runs Cooter’s, three Dukes-themed museums and stores in Virginia and Tennessee.
6. Sorrell Booke as Jefferson Davis Hogg
Boss Hogg, the scheming commissioner of Hazzard County, was known for his white cowboy hat, suit, and cigars. Sorrell Booke started his career on Broadway and TV in the ’50s. Later on, he appeared in big titles like Hawaii Five-O, MASH, Kung Fu, and more. After The Dukes of Hazzard, Sorrell did voice work for the ’80s and ’90s cartoons.
Here’s a fun fact: Booke, who enjoyed playing Hogg, was also a linguist, fluent in multiple languages. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1994 at the age of 64.
7. Waylon Jennings as The Balladeer
You might not have noticed Waylon Jennings on the Dukes cast, but you definitely heard him as the voice of The Balladeer, narrating each episode and singing the iconic “Good Ol’ Boys” theme song. His fantastic voice gave the show its authentic country vibe. Waylon often collaborated with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, eventually creating the supergroup – the Highwaymen in the ’90s.
Regretfully, Jenning passed away in 2002, but his influence and music will live on for ages.
