John Ashton
Acting
- Born:
- 1948-02-22
- Died:
- 2024-09-26
- Place of birth:
- Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Biography
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. 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
Filmography
All Happy Families
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
BRATS
Lonesome Soldier
Death in Texas
American Christmas
Making a Deal with the Devil
The Last Big Save
Once Upon a River
The Joke Thief
Uncle John
The Finder
Fairly Legal
A Letter to Dad
Middle Men
Gone Baby Gone
Reign of the Gargoyles
Bill's Gun Shop
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Judging Amy
Escape from Alaska
Instinct
Fantasy Island
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Meet the Deedles
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
King of the Hill
Fast Money
For Which He Stands
The Shooter
Condition Red
JAG
Trapped in Paradise
Little Big League
The Tommyknockers
Dirty Work
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Curly Sue
Love, Lies and Murder
I Want to Go Home
Hardball
I Know My First Name Is Steven
Midnight Run
She's Having a Baby
Beverly Hills Cop II
Some Kind of Wonderful
King Kong Lives
The Deliberate Stranger
The Deliberate Stranger
Last Resort
The Twilight Zone
A Death in California
Beverly Hills Cop
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
The A-Team
Police Squad!
Honky Tonk Freeway
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Borderline