John Ashton
Born
February 22, 1948
Died
September 26, 2024 (76 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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
All Happy Families
Roy Landry
2024
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Chief John Taggart
2024
BRATS
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024
Lonesome Soldier
Macroberts
2023
Death in Texas
Asher
2022
American Christmas
Rob
2019
Making a Deal with the Devil
FBI Director
2019
The Last Big Save
Joseph Bird Sr.
2019
Once Upon a River
2019
The Joke Thief
Joseph Rogers
2018
Uncle John
Uncle John
2015
The Finder
Franklin Sherman · (1 episode)
2012
Fairly Legal
Lou Fisher · (1 episode)
2011
A Letter to Dad
Mike Donahue
2009
Middle Men
Morgan
2009
Gone Baby Gone
Det. Nick Poole
2007
Reign of the Gargoyles
Commander Latham
2007
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Alan Fewkes · (1 episode)
1999
Judging Amy
Dashiel Purdue · (1 episode)
1999
Escape from Alaska
Kemp
1999
Instinct
Guard Dacks
1999
Fantasy Island
Bobby · (1 episode)
1998
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Ulysses S. Grant
1998
Meet the Deedles
Capt. Douglas Pine
1998
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Peter Bryant
1997
King of the Hill
Instructor (voice) · (1 episode)
1997
Fast Money
Lt. Diego
1996
For Which He Stands
District Attorney
1996
The Shooter
Alex Reed
1995
Condition Red
Deputy Warden
1995
JAG
Brian Turque · (2 episodes)
1995
Trapped in Paradise
Ed Dawson
1994
Little Big League
Mac MacNally
1994
The Tommyknockers
Butch Duggan · (2 episodes)
1993
A Touch of Frost
(1 episode)
1992
Dirty Work
Eddie Ryan
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(1 episode)
1992
Curly Sue
Frank Arnold
1991
I Want to Go Home
Harry Dempsey
1989
Hardball
Charlie Battles · (18 episodes)
1989
I Know My First Name Is Steven
Del Stayner · (2 episodes)
1989
Midnight Run
Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
1988
She's Having a Baby
Ken
1988
Beverly Hills Cop II
John Taggart
1987
Some Kind of Wonderful
Cliff Nelson
1987
King Kong Lives
Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
1986
The Deliberate Stranger
Det. Roger Dunn
1986
Last Resort
Phil Cocoran
1986
The Twilight Zone
Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon") · (1 episode)
1985
Beverly Hills Cop
Sgt. Taggart
1984
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Highway Patrolman
1984
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Cash Hunt
1984
Police Squad!
(1 episode)
1982
Honky Tonk Freeway
Otto Kemper
1981
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Jake
1981
Borderline
Charlie Monroe
1980
Lawman Without a Gun
1st State Trooper
1979
Breaking Away
Mike's Brother
1979
Dallas
Willie Joe Garr · (6 episodes)
1978
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
Orville
1978
Oh, God!
Police Officer (uncredited)
1977
Cat Murkil and the Silks
Coach Larkin
1976
Starsky & Hutch
(2 episodes)
1975
My Father's House
Sergeant
1975
Psycho Sisters
Brock
1974
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Judge Nathan Rivers
A Death in California
Bob Swalwell · (2 episodes)
1985
The A-Team
Cactus Jack Slater · (1 episode)
1983
Code R
Karl · (1 episode)
1977
Police Woman
(1 episode)
1974
Kojak
Cullen · (1 episode)
1973
An Eye for an Eye
Sgt. Matthews
1973
Police Story
(1 episode)
1973
M*A*S*H
(1 episode)
1972
Columbo
Calvin MacGruder · (1 episode)
1971
Today
Self · (1 episode)
1952