John Ashton
Feb 22, 1948 — Sep 26, 2024 (76 years)
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
39 Movies
18 Series
A career spanning 53+ years and 57+ titles makes John Ashton one of the trade's long-distance runners. his Sgt. Taggart in 'Beverly Hills Cop' ranks among the most remembered of his filmography. Comedy has been his most frequent territory.
76R.I.P.
39Movies
18Series
John Ashton
39 Movies
18 Series
A career spanning 53+ years and 57+ titles makes John Ashton one of the trade's long-distance runners. his Sgt. Taggart in 'Beverly Hills Cop' ranks among the most remembered of his filmography. Comedy has been his most frequent territory.
76 R.I.P.
R.I.P.
39
Movies
18
Series
Movies
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024
Instinct
1999
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
Gone Baby Gone
2007
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987
King Kong Lives
1986
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987
Midnight Run
1988
She's Having a Baby
1988
Borderline
1980
Death in Texas
2022
Middle Men
2009
Curly Sue
1991
Last Resort
1986
Little Big League
1994
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976
An Eye for an Eye
1973
Breaking Away
1979
Lonesome Soldier
2023
Condition Red
1995
The Shooter
1995
Trapped in Paradise
1994
Meet the Deedles
1998
The Last Big Save
2019
Oh, God!
1977
A Letter to Dad
2009
Escape from Alaska
1999
Fast Money
1996
Uncle John
2015
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
All Happy Families
2024
I Want to Go Home
1989
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007
The Joke Thief
2018
TV Shows
Hardball
1989
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989
The Tommyknockers
1993
A Death in California
1985
JAG
1995
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
Love, Lies and Murder
1991
Judging Amy
1999
A Touch of Frost
1992
Kojak
1973
Code R
1977
The Finder
2012
Columbo
1971
Fairly Legal
2011
King of the Hill
1997
The Twilight Zone
1985
Fantasy Island
1998
The A-Team
1983
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
All Happy Families
Full Filmography
All Happy Families
Roy Landry
2024
Film
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Chief John Taggart
2024
Film
Lonesome Soldier
Macroberts
2023
Film
Death in Texas
Asher
2022
Film
Making a Deal with the Devil
FBI Director
2019
Film
The Last Big Save
Joseph Bird Sr.
2019
Film
The Joke Thief
Joseph Rogers
2018
Film
Uncle John
Uncle John
2015
Film
The Finder
Franklin Sherman
2012
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Ashton still alive?
John Ashton passed away on September 26, 2024 at age 76.
What are the most famous roles of John Ashton?
John Ashton is best known for roles in Beverly Hills Cop, Gone Baby Gone, Beverly Hills Cop II.
How many movies has John Ashton been in?
Over a 51-year career (since 1973), John Ashton has appeared in 50 movies and 26 TV shows.
What was John Ashton's first movie?
The career of John Ashton began with An Eye for an Eye (1973).
What is John Ashton's most recent movie or series?
John Ashton's most recent release is All Happy Families, which premiered on September 20, 2024.
What TV shows has John Ashton appeared in?
On television, John Ashton has appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The A-Team, Columbo, M*A*S*H.
John Ashton
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.