James Best, a beloved actor, educator, and mentor, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2015. He was 88 years old. James was born in Powderly, Kentucky on July 26, 1926. He is best known for his career in Hollywood, most notably as Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on TV's The Dukes of Hazzard, for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1980. During his 65 year career, he appeared in over three hundred films and television programs. Outside of his acting career, James was a dedicated teacher, mentor, and advocate for aspiring actors. To his students, he was known for his exceptional wisdom and fostering of creativity. His philosophy was that “natural instinct was better than training.” He exemplified this mentality when founding "Jimmy Best Acting Studio" where he taught for almost two decades in Los Angeles and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, nine of his ten children, 16 grandchildren and extended family. He will be remembered for his extraordinary talent and his selfless dedication to helping and inspiring others.