According to wife Dorothy, Best was overcome by complications from pneumonia. Although a busy actor, it wasn't until 1977 when Dukes of Hazzard began the first of its seven seasons that Best was launched into stardom.

An obituary posted to Best's website explains he performed in hundreds of episodes for TV, including iconic roles in multiple installments of hits such as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock and The Andy Griffith Show.