John Ashton
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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
Credits
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
as Sgt. Taggart
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
as Nick Poole
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
as John Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
as Chief John Taggart
Midnight Run (1988)
as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
as Highway Patrolman
King Kong Lives (1986)
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
Breaking Away (1979)
as Mike's Brother
Trapped in Paradise (1994)
as Ed Dawson
Curly Sue (1991)
as Frank Arnold
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
as Cliff Nelson
Instinct (1999)
as Guard Dacks
Middle Men (2009)
as Morgan
She's Having a Baby (1988)
as Ken
Meet the Deedles (1998)
as Capt. Douglas Pine
The Shooter (1995)
as Alex Reed
Borderline (1980)
as Charlie Monroe
Little Big League (1994)
as Mac MacNally
Death in Texas (2022)
as Asher
BRATS (2024)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Oh, God! (1977)
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Honky Tonk Freeway (1981)
as Otto Kemper
Lawman Without a Gun (1979)
as 1st State Trooper
The Deliberate Stranger (1986)
as Det. Roger Dunn
The Day Lincoln Was Shot (1998)
as Ulysses S. Grant
I Want to Go Home (1989)
as Harry Dempsey
My Father's House (1975)
as Sergeant
Lonesome Soldier (2023)
as Macroberts
Psycho Sisters (1974)
as Brock
An Eye for an Eye (1973)
as Sgt. Matthews
Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981)
as Jake
Reign of the Gargoyles (2007)
as Commander Latham
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes (1997)
as Peter Bryant
Last Resort (1986)
as Phil Cocoran
Condition Red (1995)
as Deputy Warden
All Happy Families (2024)
as Roy Landry
Escape from Alaska (1999)
as Kemp
For Which He Stands (1996)
as District Attorney
Making a Deal with the Devil (2019)
as FBI Director
Once Upon a River (2019)
Actor
A Letter to Dad (2009)
as Mike Donahue
Cat Murkil and the Silks (1976)
as Coach Larkin
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands (1978)
as Orville
Dirty Work (1992)
as Eddie Ryan
The Last Big Save (2019)
as Joseph Bird Sr.
Fast Money (1996)
as Lt. Diego
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 (—)
as Judge Nathan Rivers
Uncle John (2015)
as Uncle John
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link (1984)
as Cash Hunt
The Joke Thief (2018)
as Joseph Rogers
Bill's Gun Shop (2001)
as Bill Voight
American Christmas (2019)
as Rob