'Dukes Of Hazzard' Actor Chip Mayer Dies At 57
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Actor Christopher "Chip" Mayer, best known for his role as Vance Duke on the popular CBS show "The Dukes of Hazzard", has died. He was 57.
Mayer appeared in the film "Liar Liar," and frequently guest starred on many popular television shows in the 1980s and 1990s. He often played the dark-haired, handsome hunk who ... oh no! ... turned out to really be the bad guy.
Mayer died July 23 of natural causes in Sherman Oaks, according to Variety.
He was married three times. First to "We Got it Made" actress Teri Copley, then to "Young and Restless" star Eileen Davidson and finally to Shauna Sullivan. All the marriages ended in divorce.
Mayer first gained prime time notoriety when he and actor Byron Cherry joined "Dukes" to play cousins of the main characters, Bo and Luke Duke -- fast-driving moonshine runners who were perpetually trying to evade "Boss Hogg" and other law enforcement officers.
The cousins appeared in 19 episodes while lead actors Tom Wopat and John Schneider were embroiled in a contract dispute.
Later, Mayer voiced the same character in an animated spinoff, "The Dukes."
Mayer's other television credits included the daytime soap "Santa Barbara," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Baywatch," "The Love Boat," "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Silk Stalkings."
His other film roles included "Survivor," "East Meets West," "Hard Time" and "The Hunted."
Mayer is survived by three daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter.
At the time of his death, he was engaged to Catherine Irvine.
On his facebook page, he writes, "I always thought about being a politician but I'd rather be an Ambassador for Christ."
Donations in his memory can be made to the Chip Mayer Memorial Trust Fund, 4343 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Calif.; 91423, in care of Shauna Mayer.
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