John Ashton
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 22, 1948
- Died
- September 26, 2024
- Birthplace
- 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.
Filmography
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 TBA
as Judge Nathan Rivers
All Happy Families 2024
as Roy Landry
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F 2024
as Chief John Taggart
BRATS 2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lonesome Soldier 2023
as Macroberts
Death in Texas 2022
as Asher
American Christmas 2019
as Rob
Making a Deal with the Devil 2019
as FBI Director
The Last Big Save 2019
as Joseph Bird Sr.
Once Upon a River 2019
Actor
The Joke Thief 2018
as Joseph Rogers
Uncle John 2015
as Uncle John
A Letter to Dad 2009
as Mike Donahue
Middle Men 2009
as Morgan
Gone Baby Gone 2007
as Nick Poole
Reign of the Gargoyles 2007
as Commander Latham
Bill's Gun Shop 2001
as Bill Voight
Escape from Alaska 1999
as Kemp
Instinct 1999
as Guard Dacks
The Day Lincoln Was Shot 1998
as Ulysses S. Grant
Meet the Deedles 1998
as Capt. Douglas Pine
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes 1997
as Peter Bryant
Fast Money 1996
as Lt. Diego
For Which He Stands 1996
as District Attorney
The Shooter 1995
as Alex Reed
Condition Red 1995
as Deputy Warden
Trapped in Paradise 1994
as Ed Dawson
Little Big League 1994
as Mac MacNally
Dirty Work 1992
as Eddie Ryan
Curly Sue 1991
as Frank Arnold (uncredited)
I Want to Go Home 1989
as Harry Dempsey
Midnight Run 1988
as Marvin Dorfler
She's Having a Baby 1988
as Ken
Beverly Hills Cop II 1987
as John Taggart
Some Kind of Wonderful 1987
as Cliff Nelson
King Kong Lives 1986
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
The Deliberate Stranger 1986
as Det. Roger Dunn
Last Resort 1986
as Phil Cocoran
Beverly Hills Cop 1984
as Sgt. Taggart
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension 1984
as Highway Patrolman
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link 1984
as Cash Hunt
Honky Tonk Freeway 1981
as Otto Kemper
Elvis and the Beauty Queen 1981
as Jake
Borderline 1980
as Charlie Monroe
Lawman Without a Gun 1979
as 1st State Trooper
Breaking Away 1979
as Mike's Brother
- The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands 1978
as Orville
Oh, God! 1977
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Cat Murkil and the Silks 1976
as Coach Larkin
My Father's House 1975
as Sergeant
Psycho Sisters 1974
as Brock
An Eye for an Eye 1973
as Sgt. Matthews
Credits from TMDB.