Acting
John Ashton
Born Feb 22, 1948 · Springfield, Massachusetts, USA · Died Sep 26, 2024
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.
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Acting
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Action · Family · Western
All Happy Families
2024
Comedy · Drama
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024
Action · Comedy · Crime
BRATS
2024
Documentary
Lonesome Soldier
2023
Drama · War · Thriller
Death in Texas
2022
Crime · Drama · Action
American Christmas
2019
Comedy · TV Movie
Making a Deal with the Devil
2019
Drama
The Last Big Save
2019
Drama
Once Upon a River
2019
Drama
The Joke Thief
2018
Drama
Uncle John
2015
Mystery · Drama · Crime
The Finder
2012
Drama
Fairly Legal
2011
Drama · Comedy
A Letter to Dad
2009
Drama
Middle Men
2009
Drama · Comedy · Crime
Gone Baby Gone
2007
Crime · Drama · Mystery
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007
Action · Adventure · Fantasy
Bill's Gun Shop
2001
Crime
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Crime · Drama · Mystery
Judging Amy
1999
Drama
Escape from Alaska
1999
Action · Thriller
Instinct
1999
Drama · Thriller
Fantasy Island
1998
Sci-Fi & Fantasy · Drama
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
1998
Drama · History · TV Movie
Meet the Deedles
1998
Comedy · Family
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
1997
Drama · TV Movie
King of the Hill
1997
Animation · Comedy · Family
Fast Money
1996
Action · Adventure · Crime
For Which He Stands
1996
Thriller
The Shooter
1995
Action · Thriller
Condition Red
1995
Thriller · Action · Drama
JAG
1995
Drama · Action & Adventure · Crime
Trapped in Paradise
1994
Comedy · Crime · Adventure
Little Big League
1994
Comedy · Family
The Tommyknockers
1993
Sci-Fi & Fantasy · Mystery
A Touch of Frost
1992
Drama · Crime · Mystery
Dirty Work
1992
Crime · TV Movie
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
Talk · Comedy
Curly Sue
1991
Comedy · Drama · Family
Love, Lies and Murder
1991
Crime · Drama
I Want to Go Home
1989
Comedy
Hardball
1989
Crime · Action & Adventure
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989
Drama · Crime
Midnight Run
1988
Comedy · Crime · Thriller
She's Having a Baby
1988
Comedy · Drama · Romance
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987
Action · Comedy · Crime
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987
Romance · Comedy
King Kong Lives
1986
Fantasy · Action · Adventure
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
Drama · Crime · Thriller
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
Crime · Drama
Last Resort
1986
Comedy
The Twilight Zone
1985
Sci-Fi & Fantasy · Drama · Mystery
A Death in California
1985
Drama
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
Comedy · Crime · Action
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
Science Fiction · Comedy · Adventure
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
1984
Mystery
The A-Team
1983
Action & Adventure · Comedy · Crime
Police Squad!
1982
Comedy · Crime
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
Comedy
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
1981
Drama · Music · TV Movie
Borderline
1980
Action · Crime · Drama
Lawman Without a Gun
1979
Drama · TV Movie
Breaking Away
1979
Drama · Comedy
Dallas
1978
Soap · Drama · Family
Oh, God!
1977
Fantasy · Comedy
Code R
1977
Action & Adventure
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976
Crime
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Action & Adventure · Drama · Crime
My Father's House
1975
Drama · TV Movie
Psycho Sisters
1974
Horror · TV Movie
Kojak
1973
Crime · Drama · Mystery
An Eye for an Eye
1973
Horror · Thriller
Police Story
1973
Action & Adventure · Crime · Drama
M*A*S*H
1972
War & Politics · Drama · Comedy
Columbo
1971
Crime · Drama · Mystery