This Dukes Of Hazzard Star Trained As A B-17 Gunner And Helped Bring Peace To War-torn Germany

Did you know that James Best served the U.S. military during the WWII? Don’t look so surprised, Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (the name of the character Best played) of The Dukes of Hazzard, the famous TV show was excellent with guns too. His character was quite popular in the series that ran from 1979-1985. His name was Jewel Franklin Guy at birth. His parents, Lena and Lark Guy already had eight children when he was born. He is also related to the popular singers Everly Brothers. At the age of three, Best lost his mother and soon found himself with foster parents, Armen Best and Essa Best. His foster parents gave him the option of choosing his name and this is when he picked up ‘Jimmie’. From then on, he is known as James Best. His foster father encouraged him in all kinds of outdoor activities and boxing. As a youngster, he starred in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. He did some odd jobs while pursuing his studies and once he graduated, he went on to join the U.S. Army Corps to become a pilot. Best wasn’t trained to be a pilot, instead, he was given the training of a radio operator and a gunner because there was a dearth of it. His training took place in Mississippi and by the time his training was over, the war also came to an end. Thus, he was sent to Germany as a military policeman. His duty as a military policeman was to maintain the law and order of the country and help in the reconstruction of the nation. It was assumed that there might be threats and attacks from Nazi elements ‘Werwolfs’, but nothing serious happened. Best joined the Special Services, a wing that entertained the American Troops. He remained part of the Special Services and when his tenure in the military service ended, he headed straight to New York City to make his mark in the entertainment industry. Best started getting work, but his modeling work gained him recognition in Hollywood. Finally, he signed a contract with the Universal Studios as a Contract Player along with Shelley Winters, Rock Hudson, and Tony Curtis. He has acted alongside James Stewart and Paul Newman. Best has done some big banner films and also some B-grade films that are best forgotten, but the TV show The Dukes Of Hazzard has given him the recognition of lifetime. Best wanted to work with his long-time friend Denver Pyle, so he chose this TV show. He was multi-talented and used his talent to run an acting school whose alumni was Quentin Tarantino and Glen Campbell.