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Tom Wopat, born Thomas Steven Wopat on 9 September 1951 in Lodi, Wisconsin, is an American actor and singer whose career spans stage, screen and music. He achieved lasting fame in the 1980s as Luke Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard, the hit series that defined a generation of American television with its blend of action, humour and country charm. The character’s easygoing, roguish charm and strong on‑screen chemistry with John Schneider helped anchor the show’s enduring popularity across 128 episodes and related media. Parallel to his television work, Wopat pursued a recording career, releasing country‑leaning albums and singles that complemented his performing persona. While The Dukes remains his most widely recognised role, Wopat cultivated a broad repertoire through recurring television roles, Broadway and regional theatre, and a continued presence as a live performer and recording artist well into the 1990s and beyond.

... Originating in Wisconsin, Tom Wopat’s career took shape on stage before breaking through on television. He studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and began performing in theatre, later transitioning to screen work with a breakthrough in The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–85). His theatre career expanded concurrently with acting, a path that included Broadway appearances and replacements in major musicals, alongside a sustained music career that produced albums on EMI Nashville and other labels. In later years he maintained a steady stream of television and film roles, including the long‑running Longmire and high‑profile feature projects such as Django Unchained. Wopat’s legacy rests on his enduring association with The Dukes, tempered by a versatile, multi‑disciplinary career across stages and screens. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Tom Wopat became a household name as Luke Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard, a hit series whose blend of action, humor and country charm helped define a generation of American television. His easygoing, roguish charisma and strong on‑screen chemistry with John Schneider anchored the show’s enduring popularity across 128 episodes and a range of related media. Alongside television success he pursued a recording career, releasing country‑leaning albums and singles that complemented his performer persona. He also continued to cultivate a broad repertoire through recurring TV work and ongoing stage appearances. Now (2026) As of 2026 Wopat remains identified by the cultural imprint of Luke Duke even as he has sustained a long career on stage and in music, returning regularly to Broadway, regional theatre and concert stages. He has continued to record and perform live, blending his theatrical instincts with country and cabaret material, and appears periodically in television and guest roles. His legacy is a multifaceted one: a television star whose small‑screen fame opened a durable career in theatre and music and who remains a recognizable figure in American popular culture. Career timeline 1951 Born in Lodi, Wisconsin. 1977 Began Broadway work as a replacement in I Love My Wife (Wally). 1979–1985 Luke Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (128 episodes; co‑stars John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Ben Jones). 1981 Played Billy Bigelow in Carousel at the Barn Theatre, Augusta, Michigan. 1986 Reprised Billy Bigelow in Carousel at the Kennedy Center. 1999 Opened as Frank Butler in the Annie Get Your Gun revival; Tony nomination. 2008 Appeared in the Broadway revival of A Catered Affair; Tony nomination. 2010 Featured in Sondheim on Sondheim on Broadway. 2012 Acted in Django Unchained as U.S. Marshal Gill Tatum. 2012–2017 Recurring role as Sheriff Jim Wilkins in Longmire. 2020 Appeared in The Blacklist as Warden Roy Cain. 2022 Starred in County Line: All In. Interview and reference sources In a 2019 BroadwayWorld interview, Wopat discussed balancing a multi‑faceted career across stage and screen and reflecting on his Dukes of Hazzard fame.Brady Schwind, BroadwayWorld (2019) Biographical and credit details were checked against Wikipedia – Tom Wopat, BroadwayWorld interview (2019), USA Today – Tom Wopat plea (2018), Boston Globe – Wopat arrest (2017), TMZ – Wopat arrest (2017).