Actor James Best, who was best known for starring on The Dukes of Hazzard, died on Monday. He was 88.

James Best Dies

Best passed away following a battle with pneumonia and a brief illness, his rep told Fox News.

Best played the frequently confused Sheriff Rosco R. Coltrane on the Dukes of Hazzard throughout its run from 1979-1985. His Dukes costars Tom Wopat and John Schenider – who played Luke Duke and Bo Duke, respectively, both remembered Best upon learning of his passing.

“The work he did with Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg) probably defined our show as much as the car chases,” Wopat told JamesBest.com. “He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend. He will be greatly missed.”

Schneider added, “Jimmie Best—of course, I laughed. But I learned more about acting in front of a camera from Jimmie Best in an afternoon than from anyone else in a year. When asked to cry on camera, he would say, ‘Sure thing…which eye?’ I’m forever thankful to have cut my teeth in the company of such a fine man.”

Before landing his breakout role on Dukes, Best had appeared in One Way Street and on TV show Annie Oakley after getting into acting while in the military during World War II. Following the success of Dukes, he had roles on both the big and small screen, appearing in Shenandoah and on the beloved Andy Griffith Show. His last role was in the Hallmark film The Sweeter Side of Life in 2013.

In addition to acting, Best taught the craft at Orlando’s University of Central Florida. He also published an autobiography, Best in Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful.

Best is survived by his wife Angela, his son, two daughters and three grandchildren.