John Ashton
Photoplayd Industry Rating
Not enough rated films yet to compute a weighted score.
Roles are weighted by involvement: director 1.0, screenwriter 0.7, lead 0.8, supporting 0.4, crew 0.1.
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
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
as Highway Patrolman
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
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
as Cliff Nelson
Middle Men (2009)
as Morgan
Curly Sue (1991)
as Frank Arnold
King Kong Lives (1986)
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
Instinct (1999)
as Guard Dacks
She's Having a Baby (1988)
as Ken
Breaking Away (1979)
as Mike's Brother
The Shooter (1995)
as Alex Reed
Meet the Deedles (1998)
as Capt. Douglas Pine
BRATS (2024)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Borderline (1980)
as Charlie Monroe
Last Resort (1986)
as Phil Cocoran
Trapped in Paradise (1994)
as Ed Dawson
Oh, God! (1977)
as Police Officer (uncredited)
The Deliberate Stranger (1986)
as Det. Roger Dunn
Little Big League (1994)
as Mac MacNally
I Want to Go Home (1989)
as Harry Dempsey
Dirty Work (1992)
as Eddie Ryan
Condition Red (1995)
as Deputy Warden
Honky Tonk Freeway (1981)
as Otto Kemper
All Happy Families (2024)
as Roy Landry
Psycho Sisters (1974)
as Brock
Uncle John (2015)
as Uncle John
Death in Texas (2022)
as Asher
The Day Lincoln Was Shot (1998)
as Ulysses S. Grant
An Eye for an Eye (1973)
as Sgt. Matthews
For Which He Stands (1996)
as District Attorney
Fast Money (1996)
as Lt. Diego
Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981)
as Jake
My Father's House (1975)
as Sergeant
Reign of the Gargoyles (2007)
as Commander Latham
Escape from Alaska (1999)
as Kemp
The Joke Thief (2018)
as Joseph Rogers
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 (—)
as Judge Nathan Rivers
Lawman Without a Gun (1979)
as 1st State Trooper
American Christmas (2019)
as Rob
The Last Big Save (2019)
as Joseph Bird Sr.
A Letter to Dad (2009)
as Mike Donahue
Lonesome Soldier (2023)
as Macroberts
Once Upon a River (2019)
Actor
Cat Murkil and the Silks (1976)
as Coach Larkin
Bill's Gun Shop (2001)
as Bill Voight
Making a Deal with the Devil (2019)
as FBI Director
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes (1997)
as Peter Bryant
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link (1984)
as Cash Hunt
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands (1978)
as Orville