John Ashton Actor in ‘Beverly Hills’ Cop and More, Has Died Aged 76
Ashton played Sergeant. John Taggart in the action comedy franchise alongside Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley. He was also seen in movies such as ‘Midnight Run’.
Preview:
- Actor John Ashton has died aged 76.
- He was most famous for portraying Sergeant Taggart in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ franchise.
- Ashton was remembered by his family as “a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather.”
John Ashton, an actor who became a film favorite in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ franchise thanks to his role as the gruff, often frustrated Sergeant Taggart, has died. He was 76 and had been dealing with cancer.
A statement from his representative paid tribute to him:
“John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
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John Ashton: Early Life and Career
Born February 22nd, 1948, in Springfield, Massachusetts and raised in Enfield, Connecticut, Ashton attended Defiance College in Ohio before transferring to University of Southern California, where he graduated with a BA in theater arts.
Ashton’s work became marked 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.
John Ashton’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Legacy
Ashton landed the role of Sergeant John Taggart, who, alongside Judge Reinhold’s Detective Billy Rosewood, was part of the detail assigned to monitor the newly arrived Detroit officer Axel Foley, played the career-skyrocketing effect by Eddie Murphy in 1984.
Despite the differences in law enforcement style (and Foley initially messing with Taggart and Rosewood), the three eventually became friends.
Ashton’s Taggart was seen again in 1987’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop II,’ but skipped ‘Beverly Hills Cop III,’ described by Rosewood as retired.
He returned for this year’s legacy sequel ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,’ where he’d been promoted to chief
Beverly Hills Cop
John Ashton: Movie Roles
Though his contributions to the Axel Foley movies is what he’ll best be remembered for, Ashton’s acting career spanned more than 50 years. His early film credits include ‘An Eye for an Eye,’ ‘So Evil, My Sister,’ ‘Cat Murkil and the Silks,’ ‘Breaking Away,’ ‘Borderline,’ and ‘Honky Tonk Freeway.’
More notable roles included ‘Midnight Run,’ ‘Some Kind of Wonderful,’ She’s Having a Baby,’ ‘Uncle John’ and ‘The Neighborhood.’
Midnight Run
John Ashton: TV work
Ashton was a guest star on many TV series, including ‘Emergency!,’ ‘Columbo,’ ‘Police Story,’ ‘Barnaby Jones,’ ‘Police Woman,’ ‘MASH,’ ‘Starsky and Hutch’, ‘Dallas' and 'Hardball'.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye; children Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton; step-children Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio and Ashley Hoye; grandson Henry; sisters Sharon Ann Ashton and Linda Jean Ashton; and brother Edward Richard Ashton.
Hardball
Hardball is an American crime drama television series that ran on NBC during the 1989-1990 television schedule. Read the Plot
List of John Ashton Movies and TV Shows:
- 'An Eye for an Eye' (1973)
- 'Cat Murkil and the Silks' (1976)
- 'Breaking Away' (1979)
- 'Borderline' (1980)
- 'Honky Tonk Freeway' (1981)
- 'Beverly Hills Cop' (1984)
- 'Beverly Hills Cop II' (1987)
- 'Some Kind of Wonderful' (1987)
- 'She's Having a Baby' (1988)
- 'Midnight Run' (1988)
- 'Hardball' (1989 - 1990)
- 'Uncle John' (2015)
- 'The Neighborhood' (2016)
- 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' (2024)