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John Ashton
John Ashton

John Ashton

ActingBorn February 22, 1948Died September 26, 2024 (age 76)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.

Filmography

2024
All Happy Families

as Roy Landry

Movie
2024
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

as Chief John Taggart

Movie
2024
BRATS

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Movie
2023
Lonesome Soldier

as Macroberts

Movie
2022Movie
2019Movie
2019Movie
2019
The Last Big Save

as Joseph Bird Sr.

Movie
2018
The Joke Thief

as Joseph Rogers

Movie
2015
Uncle John

as Uncle John

Movie
2012
The Finder

as Franklin Sherman

TV
2011
Fairly Legal

as Lou Fisher

TV
2009
A Letter to Dad

as Mike Donahue

Movie
2009
Middle Men

as Morgan

Movie
2007
Gone Baby Gone

as Nick Poole

Movie
2007
Reign of the Gargoyles

as Commander Latham

Movie
2001
Bill's Gun Shop

as Bill Voight

Movie
1999
Judging Amy

as Dashiel Purdue

TV
1999Movie
1999
Instinct

as Guard Dacks

Movie
1998TV
1998
The Day Lincoln Was Shot

as Ulysses S. Grant

Movie
1998
Meet the Deedles

as Capt. Douglas Pine

Movie
1997Movie
1997
King of the Hill

as Instructor (voice)

TV
1996
Fast Money

as Lt. Diego

Movie
1996
For Which He Stands

as District Attorney

Movie
1995
The Shooter

as Alex Reed

Movie
1995
Condition Red

as Deputy Warden

Movie
1995
JAG

as Brian Turque

TV
1994Movie
1994
Little Big League

as Mac MacNally

Movie
1993
The Tommyknockers

as Butch Duggan

TV
1992TV
1992
Dirty Work

as Eddie Ryan

Movie
1991
Curly Sue

as Frank Arnold

Movie
1991TV
1989
I Want to Go Home

as Harry Dempsey

Movie
1989
Hardball

as Charlie Battles

TV
1989TV
1988
Midnight Run

as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter

Movie
1988Movie
1987
Beverly Hills Cop II

as John Taggart

Movie
1987
Some Kind of Wonderful

as Cliff Nelson

Movie
1986
King Kong Lives

as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt

Movie
1986
The Deliberate Stranger

as Det. Roger Dunn

Movie
1986
The Deliberate Stranger

as Det. Roger Dunn

TV
1986
Last Resort

as Phil Cocoran

Movie
1985
The Twilight Zone

as Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon")

TV
1985
A Death in California

as Bob Swalwell

TV
1984
Beverly Hills Cop

as Sgt. Taggart

Movie
1983
The A-Team

as Cactus Jack Slater

TV
1981
Honky Tonk Freeway

as Otto Kemper

Movie
1980
Borderline

as Charlie Monroe

Movie
1979
Lawman Without a Gun

as 1st State Trooper

Movie
1979
Breaking Away

as Mike's Brother

Movie
1978
Dallas

as Willie Joe Garr

TV
1977
Oh, God!

as Police Officer (uncredited)

Movie
1977
Code R

as Karl

TV
1976Movie
1975Movie
1974Movie
1973
Kojak

as Cullen

TV
1973
An Eye for an Eye

as Sgt. Matthews

Movie
1972TV
1971
Columbo

as Calvin MacGruder

TV
1952
Today

as Self

TV
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2

as Judge Nathan Rivers

Movie

Personal Info

DepartmentActing
BirthdayFebruary 22, 1948
Day of DeathSeptember 26, 2024
Place of BirthSpringfield, Massachusetts, USA
Popularity1.1