John Ashton
Acting
1948-02-22 · 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.
Filmography
All Happy Families
2024 · Movie
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024 · Movie
BRATS
2024 · Movie
Lonesome Soldier
2023 · Movie
Death in Texas
2022 · Movie
American Christmas
2019 · Movie
Making a Deal with the Devil
2019 · Movie
The Last Big Save
2019 · Movie
Once Upon a River
2019 · Movie
The Joke Thief
2018 · Movie
Uncle John
2015 · Movie
The Finder
2012 · Series
Fairly Legal
2011 · Series
A Letter to Dad
2009 · Movie
Middle Men
2009 · Movie
Gone Baby Gone
2007 · Movie
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007 · Movie
Bill's Gun Shop
2001 · Movie
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 · Series
Judging Amy
1999 · Series
Escape from Alaska
1999 · Movie
Instinct
1999 · Movie
Fantasy Island
1998 · Series
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
1998 · Movie
Meet the Deedles
1998 · Movie
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
1997 · Movie
King of the Hill
1997 · Series
Fast Money
1996 · Movie
For Which He Stands
1996 · Movie
The Shooter
1995 · Movie
Condition Red
1995 · Movie
JAG
1995 · Series
Trapped in Paradise
1994 · Movie
Little Big League
1994 · Movie
The Tommyknockers
1993 · Series
A Touch of Frost
1992 · Series
Dirty Work
1992 · Movie
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992 · Series
Curly Sue
1991 · Movie
Love, Lies and Murder
1991 · Series
I Want to Go Home
1989 · Movie
Hardball
1989 · Series
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989 · Series
Midnight Run
1988 · Movie
She's Having a Baby
1988 · Movie
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987 · Movie
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987 · Movie
King Kong Lives
1986 · Movie
The Deliberate Stranger
1986 · Series
The Deliberate Stranger
1986 · Movie
Last Resort
1986 · Movie
The Twilight Zone
1985 · Series
A Death in California
1985 · Series
Beverly Hills Cop
1984 · Movie
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984 · Movie
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
1984 · Movie
The A-Team
1983 · Series
Police Squad!
1982 · Series
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981 · Movie
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
1981 · Movie
Borderline
1980 · Movie
Lawman Without a Gun
1979 · Movie
Breaking Away
1979 · Movie
Dallas
1978 · Series
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
1978 · Movie
Oh, God!
1977 · Movie
Code R
1977 · Series
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976 · Movie
Starsky & Hutch
1975 · Series
My Father's House
1975 · Movie
Psycho Sisters
1974 · Movie
Kojak
1973 · Series
An Eye for an Eye
1973 · Movie
Police Story
1973 · Series
M*A*S*H
1972 · Series
Columbo
1971 · Series
Today
1952 · Series
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Movie