James Best ( born Jewel Franklin Guy ; July 26 , 1926 -- April 6 , 2015 ) was an American actor , who in six decades of television is best known for his starring role as bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS television series `` The Dukes of Hazzard '' .
James Best ( July 26 , 1926 -- April 6 , 2015 ) was an American actor . He is best known for his starring role as bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS television series `` The Dukes of Hazzard '' .