John Ashton
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John Ashton

Acting

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), 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.

Films Featuring John Ashton

Beverly Hills Cop

19847.2

Beverly Hills Cop II

19876.5

Lawman Without a Gun

19799.0

Gone Baby Gone

20077.3

Breaking Away

19797.1

Little Big League

19945.9

Trapped in Paradise

19945.6

King Kong Lives

19865.2

Borderline

19806.1

Midnight Run

19887.2

She's Having a Baby

19885.9

Meet the Deedles

19984.6

Reign of the Gargoyles

20075.7

Psycho Sisters

197410.0

Some Kind of Wonderful

19876.8

An Eye for an Eye

19735.6

Escape from Alaska

19994.7

The Shooter

19954.8

The Deliberate Stranger

19866.3

The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands

The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands

1978

Fast Money

19965.3

Cat Murkil and the Silks

19765.3

For Which He Stands

19966.5

The Day Lincoln Was Shot

19986.8

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes

19975.5

Middle Men

20096.5

Last Resort

19863.6

Lonesome Soldier

20234.5

Oh, God!

19776.4

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

20246.6

All Happy Families

20245.4

Uncle John

20155.8

Dirty Work

19927.0

Condition Red

19954.8

Instinct

19996.5

BRATS

20246.0

Curly Sue

19916.4

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

19846.0

The Joke Thief

20185.8

Elvis and the Beauty Queen

19813.9

Making a Deal with the Devil

2019

The Last Big Save

20195.8

Once Upon a River

20196.5

American Christmas

20193.8

Honky Tonk Freeway

19815.4

A Letter to Dad

20095.8

I Want to Go Home

19894.8

Death in Texas

20225.0

Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link

19849.0

My Father's House

19759.0

Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2

Bill's Gun Shop

20019.0