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