John Ashton
Actor
- Born
- February 22, 1948 · Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Died
- September 26, 2024 (age 76)
John David Ashton (February 22, 1948 – September 26, 2024) was an American actor best known for his role as Sergeant John Taggart in the hit action-comedy films Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2025) where he played alongside Eddie Murphy. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashton developed a passion for acting early in life, later attending the University of Southern California's School of Theatre.
Beyond his iconic role in the Beverly Hills Cop series, Ashton appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows throughout his career. His notable film appearances include Midnight Run (1988) alongside Robert De Niro, where he portrayed a bounty hunter named Marvin Dorfler. On television, Ashton has made guest appearances on popular series such as Columbo, MASH, and The A-Team.
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Ashton's performances are often characterized by his ability to balance humor and toughness, making him a beloved character actor, especially in roles that highlight his everyman charm and strong screen presence.
Known for
Beverly Hills Cop
December 5, 1984
Gone Baby Gone
September 18, 2007
Beverly Hills Cop II
May 18, 1987
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
June 20, 2024
Midnight Run
July 20, 1988
Instinct
June 4, 1999
Curly Sue
October 25, 1991
Some Kind of Wonderful
February 27, 1987
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
August 10, 1984
Middle Men
May 17, 2009
Breaking Away
May 24, 1979
Trapped in Paradise
December 2, 1994
Acting52
- 2024All Happy Families as Roy Landry
- 2024Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F as Chief John Taggart
- 2024BRATS as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2023Lonesome Soldier as Macroberts
- 2022Death in Texas as Asher
- 2019American Christmas as Rob
- 2019Making a Deal with the Devil as FBI Director
- 2019The Last Big Save as Joseph Bird Sr.
- 2019Once Upon a River
- 2018The Joke Thief