
John Ashton
1 FOLLOWER • 31 CREDITS • FEB 22, 1948 - SEP 26, 2024 • 76
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) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), 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

JAG

The A-Team

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Columbo

King of the Hill

The Twilight Zone

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Kojak

Judging Amy

Today

M*A*S*H

Police Woman

Police Story

Fantasy Island

Dallas

Starsky & Hutch

Code R

BRATS

Middle Men

Breaking Away

Trapped in Paradise

She's Having a Baby

Some Kind of Wonderful

Gone Baby Gone

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Midnight Run

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop II

I Know My First Name Is Steven

Meet the Deedles

Hardball
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