Portrait of James Best

James Best

Bio: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Best (born Jewel Franklin Guy; July 26, 1926 – April 6, 2015) was an American television, film, character, voice, and stage actor, as well as a writer, director, acting coach, artist, college professor, and musician, whose career spanned seven decades of television. He appeared as a guest on various country music and talk shows
Born: Mon, Jul 26 1926
Birthplace: Powderly, Kentucky, USA

Death: Mon, Apr 06 2015
James Best is 88 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
James Best would have been no older than
88 in Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
as 'Self'.
Sat, Feb 13 2021
Poster of The Sweeter Side of Life
The Sweeter Side of Life
James Best was
86 in The Sweeter Side of Life
as 'Paddy Kerrigan'.
Thu, Jul 11 2013
Poster of Return of the Killer Shrews
Return of the Killer Shrews
James Best was
86 in Return of the Killer Shrews
as 'Thorne Sherman'.
Thu, Nov 15 2012
Poster of Moondance Alexander
Moondance Alexander
James Best was
80 in Moondance Alexander
as 'McClancy'.
Sun, Apr 22 2007
Poster of Hot Tamale
Hot Tamale
James Best was
79 in Hot Tamale
as 'Hank Larson'.
Sun, Apr 23 2006
Poster of The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
James Best was
77 in The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
as 'Thorne Sherman (archive footage)'.
Tue, Jul 13 2004
Poster of The Men Who Made the Movies: Samuel Fuller
The Men Who Made the Movies: Samuel Fuller
James Best was
75 in The Men Who Made the Movies: Samuel Fuller
as 'Sgt. David Brent (archive footage) (uncredited)'.
Tue, Jul 02 2002
Poster of The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood
The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood
James Best was
73 in The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood
as 'Rosco P. Coltrane'.
Mon, Jun 05 2000
Poster of Death Mask
Death Mask
James Best was
71 in Death Mask
as 'Wilbur Johnson'.
Thu, Jan 01 1998
Poster of The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
James Best was
70 in The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
as 'Boss / Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane'.
Fri, Apr 25 1997
Poster of Hooper
Hooper
James Best was
52 in Hooper
as 'Cully'.
Fri, Jul 28 1978
Poster of The End
The End
James Best was
51 in The End
as 'Pacemaker Patient'.
Wed, May 10 1978
Poster of Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder
James Best was
51 in Rolling Thunder
as 'Texan'.
Wed, Nov 02 1977
Poster of Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon
James Best was
50 in Nickelodeon
as 'Jim'.
Tue, Dec 21 1976
Poster of The Savage Bees
The Savage Bees
James Best was
50 in The Savage Bees
as 'Pellegrino'.
Mon, Nov 22 1976
Poster of Ode to Billy Joe
Ode to Billy Joe
James Best was
49 in Ode to Billy Joe
as 'Dewey Barksdale'.
Fri, Jun 04 1976
Poster of The Runaway Barge
The Runaway Barge
James Best was
48 in The Runaway Barge
as 'Bingo Washington'.
Mon, Mar 24 1975
Poster of Savages
Savages
James Best was
48 in Savages
as 'Sheriff Bert Hamilton'.
Wed, Sep 11 1974
Poster of Sounder
Sounder
James Best was
46 in Sounder
as 'Sheriff Charlie Young'.
Sun, Sep 24 1972
Poster of The Brain Machine
The Brain Machine
James Best was
45 in The Brain Machine
as 'Rev. Emory Neill'.
Sat, Jan 01 1972
Poster of Run, Simon, Run
Run, Simon, Run
James Best was
44 in Run, Simon, Run
as 'Henry Burroughs'.
Tue, Dec 01 1970
Poster of Firecreek
Firecreek
James Best was
41 in Firecreek
as 'Drew'.
Wed, Jan 24 1968
Poster of First to Fight
First to Fight
James Best was
40 in First to Fight
as 'Sergeant Carnavan'.
Wed, Jan 25 1967
Poster of Three on a Couch
Three on a Couch
James Best was
39 in Three on a Couch
as 'Dr. Ben Mizer'.
Tue, Mar 01 1966
Poster of Shenandoah
Shenandoah
James Best was
38 in Shenandoah
as 'Carter, Rebel Soldier'.
Thu, Jun 03 1965
Poster of Black Spurs
Black Spurs
James Best was
38 in Black Spurs
as 'Ralph Elkins'.
Fri, May 28 1965
Poster of The Quick Gun
The Quick Gun
James Best was
37 in The Quick Gun
as 'Scotty Wade'.
Wed, Apr 01 1964
Poster of Shock Corridor
Shock Corridor
James Best was
37 in Shock Corridor
as 'Stuart'.
Wed, Sep 25 1963
Poster of Black Gold
Black Gold
James Best was
35 in Black Gold
as 'Jericho Larkin'.
Sat, Jul 21 1962
Poster of The Mountain Road
The Mountain Road
James Best was
33 in The Mountain Road
as 'Niergaard'.
Wed, Jun 15 1960
Poster of Aftermath
Aftermath
James Best was
33 in Aftermath
as 'Hardy Coulter'.
Sun, Apr 17 1960
Poster of Cast a Long Shadow
Cast a Long Shadow
James Best was
33 in Cast a Long Shadow
as 'Sam Mullen'.
Mon, Aug 24 1959
Poster of The Killer Shrews
The Killer Shrews
James Best was
32 in The Killer Shrews
as 'Thorne Sherman'.
Thu, Jun 25 1959
Poster of Verboten!
Verboten!
James Best was
32 in Verboten!
as 'Sgt. David Brent'.
Wed, Mar 25 1959
Poster of Ride Lonesome
Ride Lonesome
James Best was
32 in Ride Lonesome
as 'Billy John'.
Sun, Feb 01 1959
Poster of The Naked and the Dead
The Naked and the Dead
James Best was
32 in The Naked and the Dead
as 'Rhidges'.
Wed, Aug 06 1958
Poster of The Left Handed Gun
The Left Handed Gun
James Best was
31 in The Left Handed Gun
as 'Tom Folliard'.
Wed, May 07 1958
Poster of Cole Younger, Gunfighter
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
James Best was
31 in Cole Younger, Gunfighter
as 'Kit Caswell'.
Sun, Mar 30 1958
Poster of Man on the Prowl
Man on the Prowl
James Best was
31 in Man on the Prowl
as 'Doug Gerhardt'.
Sun, Dec 01 1957
Poster of Last of the Badmen
Last of the Badmen
James Best was
30 in Last of the Badmen
as 'Ted Hamilton'.
Sun, Feb 17 1957
Poster of Hot Summer Night
Hot Summer Night
James Best was
30 in Hot Summer Night
as 'Kermit'.
Fri, Feb 15 1957
Poster of The Rack
The Rack
James Best was
30 in The Rack
as 'Millard Chilson Cassidy'.
Fri, Nov 02 1956
Poster of Calling Homicide
Calling Homicide
James Best was
30 in Calling Homicide
as 'Det. Arnie Arnhoff'.
Sun, Sep 30 1956
Poster of Gaby
Gaby
James Best was
29 in Gaby
as 'Jim'.
Wed, May 09 1956
Poster of Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet
James Best was
29 in Forbidden Planet
as 'Crewman (uncredited)'.
Fri, Mar 23 1956
Poster of Come Next Spring
Come Next Spring
James Best was
29 in Come Next Spring
as 'Bill Jackson'.
Fri, Mar 09 1956
Poster of Top of the World
Top of the World
James Best was
28 in Top of the World
as 'Col. French's Orderly (uncredited)'.
Sun, May 01 1955
Poster of Seven Angry Men
Seven Angry Men
James Best was
28 in Seven Angry Men
as 'Jason Brown'.
Sun, Mar 27 1955
Poster of The Raid
The Raid
James Best was
28 in The Raid
as 'Lt. Robinson'.
Wed, Aug 04 1954
Poster of Return from the Sea
Return from the Sea
James Best was
28 in Return from the Sea
as 'Barr'.
Wed, Jul 28 1954
Poster of The Caine Mutiny
The Caine Mutiny
James Best was
27 in The Caine Mutiny
as 'Lt. JG Jorgensen'.
Thu, Jun 24 1954
Poster of The Yellow Tomahawk
The Yellow Tomahawk
James Best was
27 in The Yellow Tomahawk
as 'Private Bliss'.
Sat, May 01 1954
Poster of Riders to the Stars
Riders to the Stars
James Best was
27 in Riders to the Stars
as 'Dr. Sidney K. Fuller'.
Thu, Jan 14 1954
Poster of City of Bad Men
City of Bad Men
James Best was
27 in City of Bad Men
as 'Deputy Gig (uncredited)'.
Fri, Sep 11 1953
Poster of Column South
Column South
James Best was
26 in Column South
as 'Primrose'.
Wed, May 20 1953
Poster of Seminole
Seminole
James Best was
26 in Seminole
as 'Corp. Gerad'.
Fri, Mar 20 1953
Poster of Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
James Best was
25 in Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
as 'Marvin Johnson'.
Fri, Jul 11 1952
Poster of Francis Goes to West Point
Francis Goes to West Point
James Best was
25 in Francis Goes to West Point
as 'Cpl. Ransom'.
Tue, Jul 01 1952
Poster of Steel Town
Steel Town
James Best was
25 in Steel Town
as 'Joe Rakich'.
Fri, May 09 1952
Poster of The Battle at Apache Pass
The Battle at Apache Pass
James Best was
25 in The Battle at Apache Pass
as 'Cpl. Hassett'.
Fri, May 09 1952
Poster of The Cimarron Kid
The Cimarron Kid
James Best was
25 in The Cimarron Kid
as 'Bitter Creek Dalton'.
Sun, Jan 13 1952
Poster of Apache Drums
Apache Drums
James Best was
24 in Apache Drums
as 'Bert Keon'.
Sun, Apr 01 1951
Poster of Air Cadet
Air Cadet
James Best was
24 in Air Cadet
as 'Jerry Connell'.
Wed, Mar 14 1951
Poster of Target Unknown
Target Unknown
James Best was
24 in Target Unknown
as 'Sgt. Ralph Phelps'.
Thu, Feb 08 1951
Poster of Kansas Raiders
Kansas Raiders
James Best was
24 in Kansas Raiders
as 'Cole Younger'.
Wed, Nov 15 1950
Poster of Winchester '73
Winchester '73
James Best was
23 in Winchester '73
as 'Crater'.
Wed, Jul 12 1950
Poster of Peggy
Peggy
James Best was
23 in Peggy
as 'Frank Addison'.
Sat, Jul 01 1950
Poster of I Was a Shoplifter
I Was a Shoplifter
James Best was
23 in I Was a Shoplifter
Sat, May 13 1950
Poster of Comanche Territory
Comanche Territory
James Best was
23 in Comanche Territory
as 'Sam'.
Mon, May 01 1950
Poster of One Way Street
One Way Street
James Best was
23 in One Way Street
as 'Driver (uncredited)'.
Sat, Apr 01 1950

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of CMT: Inside Fame
CMT: Inside Fame
James Best was
78+ in CMT: Inside Fame
First Air Date
Fri, May 13 2005
Poster of E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story
James Best was
70+ in E! True Hollywood Story
First Air Date
Wed, Aug 21 1996
Poster of B.L. Stryker
B.L. Stryker
James Best was
62+ in B.L. Stryker
First Air Date
Mon, Feb 13 1989
Poster of In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
James Best was
61+ in In the Heat of the Night
First Air Date
Sun, Mar 06 1988
Poster of The Dukes
The Dukes
James Best was
56+ in The Dukes
as 'Rosco Coltrane (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sat, Feb 05 1983
Poster of Enos
Enos
James Best was
54+ in Enos
First Air Date
Wed, Nov 12 1980
Poster of The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
James Best was
52+ in The Dukes of Hazzard
as 'Rosco P. Coltrane'.
First Air Date
Fri, Jan 26 1979
Poster of Centennial
Centennial
James Best was
52+ in Centennial
First Air Date
Sun, Oct 01 1978
Poster of The Manhunter
The Manhunter
James Best was
48+ in The Manhunter
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 11 1974
Poster of Hawkins
Hawkins
James Best was
46+ in Hawkins
as 'Sheriff John Early'.
First Air Date
Tue, Mar 13 1973
Poster of The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
James Best was
42+ in The Mod Squad
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 24 1968
Poster of Lancer
Lancer
James Best was
42+ in Lancer
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 24 1968
Poster of The Guns of Will Sonnett
The Guns of Will Sonnett
James Best was
41+ in The Guns of Will Sonnett
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 08 1967
Poster of Felony Squad
Felony Squad
James Best was
40+ in Felony Squad
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 12 1966
Poster of The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet
James Best was
40+ in The Green Hornet
as 'Yale Barton'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 09 1966
Poster of Hawk
Hawk
James Best was
40+ in Hawk
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 08 1966
Poster of Honey West
Honey West
James Best was
39+ in Honey West
as 'Vince Zale'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 17 1965
Poster of Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
James Best was
38+ in Daniel Boone
as 'Jethro Wyatt'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 24 1964
Poster of Flipper
Flipper
James Best was
38+ in Flipper
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 19 1964
Poster of Redigo
Redigo
James Best was
37+ in Redigo
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 24 1963
Poster of Burke's Law
Burke's Law
James Best was
37+ in Burke's Law
as 'Tucson, 'The Cowboy''.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1963
Poster of The Fugitive
The Fugitive
James Best was
37+ in The Fugitive
as 'Dan Murray'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 17 1963
Poster of The Gallant Men
The Gallant Men
James Best was
36+ in The Gallant Men
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 05 1962
Poster of Combat!
Combat!
James Best was
36+ in Combat!
as 'Trenton'.
First Air Date
Tue, Oct 02 1962
Poster of General Electric True
General Electric True
James Best was
36+ in General Electric True
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 30 1962
Poster of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
James Best was
36+ in The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as 'Tom Carmody'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 20 1962
Poster of The Virginian
The Virginian
James Best was
36+ in The Virginian
as 'Curt Westley'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 19 1962
Poster of Ben Casey
Ben Casey
James Best was
35+ in Ben Casey
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 02 1961
Poster of Whispering Smith
Whispering Smith
James Best was
34+ in Whispering Smith
First Air Date
Mon, May 08 1961
Poster of Surfside 6
Surfside 6
James Best was
34+ in Surfside 6
First Air Date
Thu, Oct 06 1960
Poster of Stagecoach West
Stagecoach West
James Best was
34+ in Stagecoach West
First Air Date
Tue, Oct 04 1960
Poster of The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
James Best was
34+ in The Andy Griffith Show
as 'Jim Lindsey'.
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 03 1960
Poster of Michael Shayne
Michael Shayne
James Best was
34+ in Michael Shayne
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 30 1960
Poster of The Barbara Stanwyck Show
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
James Best was
34+ in The Barbara Stanwyck Show
as 'Joe'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 19 1960
Poster of Pony Express
Pony Express
James Best was
33+ in Pony Express
as 'Bart Gentry'.
First Air Date
Wed, Mar 09 1960
Poster of Overland Trail
Overland Trail
James Best was
33+ in Overland Trail
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 07 1960
Poster of Hawaiian Eye
Hawaiian Eye
James Best was
33+ in Hawaiian Eye
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 07 1959
Poster of Startime
Startime
James Best was
33+ in Startime
First Air Date
Tue, Oct 06 1959
Poster of The Rebel
The Rebel
James Best was
33+ in The Rebel
as 'Ted Evans, Abel Waares'.
First Air Date
Sun, Oct 04 1959
Poster of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
James Best was
33+ in The Twilight Zone
as 'Jeff Myrtlebank, Billy-Ben Turner'.
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 02 1959
Poster of Men into Space
Men into Space
James Best was
33+ in Men into Space
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 30 1959
Poster of Lock-Up
Lock-Up
James Best was
33+ in Lock-Up
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 28 1959
Poster of The DuPont Show with June Allyson
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
James Best was
33+ in The DuPont Show with June Allyson
as 'Jovan Wilanskov'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 21 1959
Poster of Laramie
Laramie
James Best was
33+ in Laramie
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 15 1959
Poster of The Man and the Challenge
The Man and the Challenge
James Best was
33+ in The Man and the Challenge
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 12 1959
Poster of Bonanza
Bonanza
James Best was
33+ in Bonanza
as 'Sheriff Vern Schaler'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 12 1959
Poster of The David Niven Show
The David Niven Show
James Best was
32+ in The David Niven Show
as 'Boland'.
First Air Date
Tue, Apr 07 1959
Poster of Black Saddle
Black Saddle
James Best was
32+ in Black Saddle
as 'Ben Travers'.
First Air Date
Sat, Jan 10 1959
Poster of Rawhide
Rawhide
James Best was
32+ in Rawhide
as 'Willie Cain, Brock Quade'.
First Air Date
Fri, Jan 09 1959
Poster of 77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
James Best was
32+ in 77 Sunset Strip
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 10 1958
Poster of Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
James Best was
32+ in Bat Masterson
as 'Joe Best, Danny Dakota'.
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 08 1958
Poster of Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors
James Best was
32+ in Behind Closed Doors
as 'Webb'.
First Air Date
Thu, Oct 02 1958
Poster of The Rifleman
The Rifleman
James Best was
32+ in The Rifleman
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 30 1958
Poster of The Texan
The Texan
James Best was
32+ in The Texan
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 29 1958
Poster of Bronco
Bronco
James Best was
32+ in Bronco
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 23 1958
Poster of Wanted: Dead or Alive
Wanted: Dead or Alive
James Best was
32+ in Wanted: Dead or Alive
as 'Stoner, Luke Perry'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 06 1958
Poster of Tombstone Territory
Tombstone Territory
James Best was
31+ in Tombstone Territory
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 16 1957
Poster of Trackdown
Trackdown
James Best was
31+ in Trackdown
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 04 1957
Poster of Perry Mason
Perry Mason
James Best was
31+ in Perry Mason
as 'Allan Winford, Martin Potter'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 21 1957
Poster of Have Gun, Will Travel
Have Gun, Will Travel
James Best was
31+ in Have Gun, Will Travel
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 14 1957
Poster of Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
James Best was
30+ in Richard Diamond, Private Detective
as 'Jack Milhoan'.
First Air Date
Mon, Jul 01 1957
Poster of West Point
West Point
James Best was
30+ in West Point
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 05 1956
Poster of Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
James Best was
29+ in Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as 'Norman Frayne, Hennessy, Bish Darby'.
First Air Date
Sun, Oct 02 1955
Poster of Frontier
Frontier
James Best was
29+ in Frontier
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 25 1955
Poster of Cheyenne
Cheyenne
James Best was
29+ in Cheyenne
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 20 1955
Poster of Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
James Best was
29+ in Gunsmoke
as 'Beal, Charlie Noon'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 10 1955
Poster of Buffalo Bill Jr.
Buffalo Bill Jr.
James Best was
28+ in Buffalo Bill Jr.
First Air Date
Tue, Mar 01 1955
Poster of The Millionaire
The Millionaire
James Best was
28+ in The Millionaire
as 'Fred Morgan'.
First Air Date
Wed, Jan 19 1955
Poster of Climax!
Climax!
James Best was
28+ in Climax!
as 'Shag'.
First Air Date
Thu, Oct 07 1954
Poster of The Lineup
The Lineup
James Best was
28+ in The Lineup
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 01 1954
Poster of Stories of the Century
Stories of the Century
James Best was
27+ in Stories of the Century
First Air Date
Sat, Jan 23 1954
Poster of General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater
James Best was
26+ in General Electric Theater
as 'Hardy Coulter'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 01 1953
Poster of Cavalcade of America
Cavalcade of America
James Best was
26+ in Cavalcade of America
as ', Harry, Slate Morley'.
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 01 1952
Poster of Hopalong Cassidy
Hopalong Cassidy
James Best was
26+ in Hopalong Cassidy
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 19 1952
Poster of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
James Best was
25+ in Hallmark Hall of Fame
First Air Date
Mon, Dec 24 1951
Poster of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
James Best was
25+ in Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 05 1951
Poster of The Adventures of Kit Carson
The Adventures of Kit Carson
James Best was
25+ in The Adventures of Kit Carson
First Air Date
Sat, Aug 11 1951
Poster of Lux Video Theatre
Lux Video Theatre
James Best was
24+ in Lux Video Theatre
as 'Clem Wallace'.
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 02 1950
Poster of The Gene Autry Show
The Gene Autry Show
James Best was
23+ in The Gene Autry Show
First Air Date
Sun, Jul 23 1950