James Best facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Best
Best in 1964
Born	Jewel Franklin Guy (1926-07-26)July 26, 1926 Powderly, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	April 6, 2015(2015-04-06) (aged 88) Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Actor artist acting coach college professor singer-songwriter
Years active	1950–2013
Television	The Dukes of Hazzard
Spouse(s)	Matilda Engleberg (m. 1949; div. 19??) JoBee Croskery ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1977)​ Dorothy Collier ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	3
Relatives	Don and Phil Everly (cousins) Michael Damian (son-in-law)

James Best (born Jewel Franklin Guy on July 26, 1926 – died April 6, 2015) was an American actor. He also worked as a writer, director, acting coach, artist, and college professor. His career lasted over 60 years.

James Best appeared in many movies and TV shows. He was best known for playing the funny Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. This was in the popular TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. The show aired from 1979 to 1985. He played Rosco again in two TV movies in 1997 and 2000.

James Best's Early Life and Military Service

James Best was born in Powderly, Kentucky, on July 26, 1926. His parents were Lark and Lena Guy. His mother's brother was Ike Everly, who was the father of the famous music group the Everly Brothers.

When James was three, his mother died. He then lived in an orphanage for a short time. Later, he was adopted by Armen and Essa Myrtle Best. He moved to live with them in Corydon, Indiana.

Best joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He trained to be a gunner on a B-17 bomber in 1944. By the time he finished training, the war was almost over. He was then assigned to the army's law enforcement section.

As a military police officer, Best served in Germany after the war ended in 1945. While there, he joined an army acting group. They traveled around Europe performing plays for the troops. This is how his acting career began.

Movies James Best Starred In

James Best started his movie career in 1949 at Universal Studios. There, he met other actors like Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson. At first, he had small, uncredited roles. Soon, he began getting credited parts.

Many of his early roles were in Western movies. These included Comanche Territory and Winchester '73 in 1950. He continued to appear in Westerns throughout his career. Some of these were The Cimarron Kid (1952) and Ride Lonesome (1959).

Best also acted in other types of films. He was in the science fiction movie The Killer Shrews (1959). He also appeared in its sequel, Return of the Killer Shrews (2012). He played Carter in the classic movie Shenandoah (1965). In 1978, he was Burt Reynolds's partner Cully in the movie Hooper.

James Best on Television

Best with Andy Griffith on CBS's The Andy Griffith Show (1961)

James Best was a guest star in over 280 different TV shows. In 1954, he played an outlaw named Dave Ridley in Stories of the Century. He also appeared twice on the Annie Oakley series.

In 1955, he played Jim Blake on The Lone Ranger. He was also in an episode of Crossroads. Best appeared on The People's Choice and Richard Diamond, Private Detective.

Best with Laura Devon (center) and Anne Francis in The Twilight Zone episode "Jess-Belle" (1963)

Best was in four episodes of Death Valley Days. His first role there was as a miner in 1955. In 1960, he was in The DuPont Show with June Allyson.

He guest-starred on The Andy Griffith Show as "The Guitar Player." He also appeared in three episodes of The Twilight Zone. In 1961, he was in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

In 1963, Best played a game warden in GE True. He also appeared on Rawhide twice. Best made two guest appearances on Perry Mason.

He was on many other TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. These included Wagon Train, Laramie, Gunsmoke, and The Fugitive.

Playing Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane

James Best's most famous role was Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard. He was in every episode from 1979 to 1985. He later said that he created Rosco's funny voice by playing with his own children.

On the set, Best was very close to Sorrell Booke, who played Boss Hogg. Boss Hogg was Rosco's boss and brother-in-law. The two actors became great friends. They often made up their own lines during scenes.

Best also remained close to Catherine Bach, who played Daisy Duke. She often visited his website, which showed his paintings.

Later Television Roles

In 1991, Best appeared in an episode of In the Heat of the Night. He played a retired sheriff named Nathan Bedford. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was from the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

Artist, Teacher, and Other Talents

After acting, James Best moved to Florida. He taught at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He also ran a production company. He was known for his paintings of landscapes and scenes from The Dukes of Hazzard. He later moved to Hickory, North Carolina.

Best was also an acting coach for over 25 years in Los Angeles. He taught drama at the University of Mississippi for two years. Some of his famous students included Lindsay Wagner and Quentin Tarantino.

In 2014, Best attended a birthday party for his friend, actor Norman Lloyd. Best said that Lloyd was a kind and patient director. He felt honored to be friends with such a talented man.

James Best's Family and Hobbies

James Best had a son, Gary, with his first wife. In 1959, he married Jobee Ayers. They had two daughters, Janeen and JoJami. Janeen is now an actress and writer. She married actor Michael Damian in 1998. Best married his third wife, Dorothy Collier, in 1986. He had three grandchildren.

Best had many hobbies. He was a talented painter and played the guitar. He also had a black belt in karate. He enjoyed writing and ran his own acting school. He was also a supporter of animal rights.

James Best's Passing

James Best passed away on April 6, 2015, at age 88. He died in Hickory, North Carolina, due to complications from pneumonia.

Before his death, his Dukes of Hazzard co-star John Schneider shared his thoughts. Schneider said he learned and laughed a lot with Best. He added that Best could cry on cue for the camera, asking, "sure thing, which eye?" Schneider was grateful to have worked with such a good man.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: James Best para niños