JA
John Ashton
Actor
Born February 22, 1948Died September 26, 2024 (76 years)
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) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), 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.
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.
Known For
Filmography
| 2024 | Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F · as Chief John Taggart |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Lonesome Soldier · as Macroberts |
| 2020 | Death in Texas · as Asher |
| 2019 | American Christmas · as Rob |
| 2019 | Making a Deal with the Devil · as Fbi Director |
| 2019 | The Last Big Save · as Joseph Bird Sr. |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | The Joke Thief · as Joseph Rogers |
| 2017 | The Neighborhood · as Matt Krivinsky |
| 2015 | Uncle John · as Uncle John |
| 2012 | The Finder (TV Series) · as Franklin Sherman |
| 2011 | Fairly Legal (TV Series) · as Lou Fisher |
| 2009 | Middle Men · as Morgan |
| 2007 | Gone Baby Gone · as Det. Nick Poole |
| 2007 | Reign of the Gargoyles · as Commander Latham |
| 2005 | Jane Doe: Til Death Do Us Part · as Richie Parsons |
| 2003 | Family (2003) (TV Series) · as Martin |
| 2002 | Body & Soul (2002) (TV Series) · as Jordan Meadows |
| 2001 | Going to California (TV Series) · as Victor |
| 2001 | Bill's Gun Shop · as Bill Voight |
| 1999 | |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) · as Alan Fewkes |
| 1999 | Judging Amy (TV Series) · as Dashiel Purdue |
| 1999 | Instinct · as Guard Dacks |
| 1998 | Fantasy Island (1998) (TV Series) · as Bobby |
| 1998 | The Day Lincoln Was Shot · as Ulysses S. Grant |
| 1998 | Meet the Deedles · as Capt. Douglas Pine |
| 1997 | Little Girls in Pretty Boxes · as Peter Bryant |
| 1997 | King of the Hill (TV Series) · as Instructor (voice) |
| 1996 | Fast Money · as Lt. Diego |
| 1996 | For Which He Stands · as District Attorney |
| 1995 | Hidden Assassin · as Alex Reed |
| 1995 | Condition Red · as Deputy Warden |
| 1995 | JAG (TV Series) · as Brian Turque |
| 1994 | In the Living Years · as Mike Donahue |
| 1994 | Trapped in Paradise · as Ed Dawson |
| 1994 | Little Big League · as Mac Macnally |
| 1993 | The Tommyknockers (TV Series) · as Butch Duggan |
| 1992 | A Touch of Frost (TV Series) |
| 1992 | Dirty Work · as Eddie Ryan |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | Love, Lies and Murder (TV Series) · as Carrothers |
| 1989 | I Want to Go Home · as Harry Dempsey |
| 1989 | Hardball (1989) (TV Series) · as Charlie Battles |
| 1989 | I Know My First Name Is Steven (TV Series) · as Del Stayner |
| 1988 | Midnight Run · as Marvin Dorfler |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby · as Ken |
| 1987 | Beverly Hills Cop II · as John Taggart |
| 1987 | The Tracey Ullman Show (TV Series) · as Jimmy, Neighborly Doorman |
| 1987 | Some Kind of Wonderful · as Cliff Nelson |
| 1986 | King Kong Lives · as Lt. Col. R.t. Nevitt |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger · as Det. Roger Dunn |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger (TV Series) · as Det. Roger Dunn |
| 1986 | Last Resort · as Phil Cocoran |
| 1985 | The Twilight Zone (1985) (TV Series) · as Chief Brady Simmons |
| 1985 | A Death in California (TV Series) · as Bob Swalwell |
| 1985 | EastEnders (TV Series) · as Mr. Corby |
| 1984 | Beverly Hills Cop · as Sgt. Taggart |
| 1984 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension · as Highway Patrolman |
| 1984 | Brothers (TV Series) · as Agent Harris |
| 1983 | Hardcastle and McCormick (TV Series) · as Leonard Porter |
| 1983 | The A-Team (TV Series) · as Cactus Jack Slater |
| 1982 | Brookside (TV Series) · as Detective Sergeant Anderson |
| 1982 | Police Squad! (TV Series) |
| 1981 | Honky Tonk Freeway · as Otto Kemper |
| 1981 | Elvis and the Beauty Queen · as Jake |
| 1980 | Borderline · as Charlie Monroe |
| 1980 | Breaking Away (TV Series) · as Roy |
| 1979 | Breaking Away · as Mike's Brother |
| 1978 | Lawman Without a Gun · as 1st State Trooper |
| 1978 | Dallas (TV Series) · as Willie Joe Garr |
| 1977 | |
| 1977 | Carter Country (TV Series) · as Guardsman #1 |
| 1977 | The Rhinemann Exchange (TV Series) · as Ballentyne |
| 1976 | Cat Murkil and the Silks · as Coach Larkin |
| 1975 | Wonder Woman (TV Series) · as Nazi Henchman |
| 1975 | Phyllis (TV Series) · as Taxpayer |
| 1975 | My Father's House · as Sergeant |
| 1975 | Starsky & Hutch (TV Series) |
| 1974 | So Evil, My Sister · as Brock |
| 1974 | Police Woman (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Kojak (TV Series) · as Cullen |
| 1973 | An Eye for an Eye · as Sgt. Matthews |
| 1973 | Police Story (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Barnaby Jones (TV Series) · as Lester Shiller |
| 1972 | M*A*S*H (TV Series) |
| 1972 | Emergency! (TV Series) · as Station Wagon Driver |
| 1971 | Columbo (TV Series) · as Calvin Macgruder |