1. Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke)
Daisy Duke wasn’t just a character; she was a cultural icon who introduced the world to “Daisy Dukes”—those unforgettable cutoff shorts. Before joining the cast, Catherine Bach made her mark in the 1974 Clint Eastwood movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. After The Dukes, Bach’s career slowed down, though she found success as Anita Lawson on The Young and the Restless. Now 69, Bach enjoys life outside the spotlight, spending time with her daughters and fondly looking back on her groundbreaking role.
The Dukes of Hazzard wasn’t just a TV show; it was a phenomenon that captured the rebellious spirit of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. With its car chases, colorful characters, and small-town charm, it became a staple of family viewing. Now, nearly 40 years since the last episode aired in 1985, let’s take a nostalgic dive into where the iconic cast is today.
2. Tom Wopat (Luke Duke)
As Luke Duke, Tom Wopat was the calm, cool counterpart to Bo’s wild energy. But his Hollywood journey began in 1970 on the soap All My Children. While The Dukes catapulted him to fame, Wopat diversified his career with roles in Cybill and Home Improvement, and even starred in the drama Longmire. He also embraced his musical side, releasing albums as recently as 2019. However, not all of his post-Hazzard days have been smooth; in 2017, he faced legal troubles during a theater production. At 72, Wopat is still balancing acting and music, with recent credits in The Blacklist and indie films like County Line: No Fear.
3. John Schneider (Bo Duke)
Who could forget Bo Duke’s trademark “Yeehaw!”? John Schneider brought a youthful, rebellious charm to the role, even fibbing about his Southern roots to land the gig. After The Dukes, Schneider built a robust career in both music and acting, releasing nine studio albums and starring as Jonathan Kent in Smallville. He reunited with Wopat in a guest role filled with Dukes references. Schneider also portrayed Michael Landon in the biographical TV movie Michael Landon, the Father I Knew. Despite a legal hiccup in 2018 involving alimony payments, Schneider remains prolific at 63, recently appearing in The Haves and the Have Nots and working on new projects, including a Christmas movie inspired by his Hazzard roots.
4. Byron Cherry (Coy Duke)
Byron Cherry joined the show during its fifth season as Coy Duke, a cousin stepping in when Luke and Bo were temporarily out of the picture. While Coy’s time in Hazzard County was brief, Cherry stayed busy afterward, appearing in Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. He also used his platform to promote cancer awareness as a spokesman for the American Cancer Society. At 68, Cherry remains connected to his time on The Dukes through fan events and charity work.
5. Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse)
Uncle Jesse was the heart of the Duke family, providing guidance and moral strength. Denver Pyle brought decades of experience to the role, having appeared in The Andy Griffith Show and The Doris Day Show. Off-screen, Pyle used his fame for good, organizing fishing tournaments to benefit children’s charities. Sadly, Pyle passed away on Christmas Day in 1997, but his legacy as Uncle Jesse endures as one of the most beloved TV father figures of all time.
Whether you were glued to the screen for the General Lee’s wild jumps or Daisy Duke’s witty comebacks, The Dukes of Hazzard brought an unforgettable slice of adventure into our lives. Decades later, these cast members—and their stories—still have a way of making us feel like kids again.
