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John Ashton

Actor

John Ashton

Born February 22, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USADied September 26, 202451 films

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.

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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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The best way into John Ashton's work
Gone Baby Gone posterFirst watchGone Baby Gone20077.3as Nick PooleWhen 4 year old Amanda McCready disappears from her home and the police make little headway in solving the case, the girl's aunt, Beatrice McCready hires two private detectives, Patrick…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Beverly Hills Cop poster7.2Beverly Hills Cop1984Beverly Hills Cop II poster6.5Beverly Hills Cop II1987Midnight Run poster7.2Midnight Run1988Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F poster6.6Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F2024Some Kind of Wonderful poster6.9Some Kind of Wonderful1987Instinct poster6.5Instinct1999Breaking Away poster7.2Breaking Away1979Curly Sue poster6.4Curly Sue1991

Filmography

51 films as actor
  1. TBAHot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2Judge Nathan Rivers
  2. 2024All Happy FamiliesRoy Landry
  3. 2024Beverly Hills Cop: Axel FChief John Taggart
  4. 2023Lonesome SoldierMacroberts
  5. 2022Death in TexasAsher
  6. 2019American ChristmasRob
  7. 2019Making a Deal with the DevilFBI Director
  8. 2019The Last Big SaveJoseph Bird Sr.
  9. 2019Once Upon a River
  10. 2018The Joke ThiefJoseph Rogers
  11. 2015Uncle JohnUncle John
  12. 2009A Letter to DadMike Donahue
  13. 2009Middle MenMorgan
  14. 2007Gone Baby GoneNick Poole
  15. 2007Reign of the GargoylesCommander Latham
  16. 2001Bill's Gun ShopBill Voight
  17. 1999Escape from AlaskaKemp
  18. 1999InstinctGuard Dacks
  19. 1998The Day Lincoln Was ShotUlysses S. Grant
  20. 1998Meet the DeedlesCapt. Douglas Pine
  21. 1997Little Girls in Pretty BoxesPeter Bryant
  22. 1996Fast MoneyLt. Diego
  23. 1996For Which He StandsDistrict Attorney
  24. 1995The ShooterAlex Reed
  25. 1995Condition RedDeputy Warden
  26. 1994Trapped in ParadiseEd Dawson
  27. 1994Little Big LeagueMac MacNally
  28. 1992Dirty WorkEddie Ryan
  29. 1991Curly SueFrank Arnold
  30. 1989I Want to Go HomeHarry Dempsey
  31. 1988Midnight RunMarvin Dorfler, Headhunter
  32. 1988She's Having a BabyKen
  33. 1987Beverly Hills Cop IIJohn Taggart
  34. 1987Some Kind of WonderfulCliff Nelson
  35. 1986King Kong LivesLt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
  36. 1986The Deliberate StrangerDet. Roger Dunn
  37. 1986Last ResortPhil Cocoran
  38. 1984Beverly Hills CopSgt. Taggart
  39. 1984The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th DimensionHighway Patrolman
  40. 1984Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing LinkCash Hunt
  41. 1981Honky Tonk FreewayOtto Kemper
  42. 1981Elvis and the Beauty QueenJake
  43. 1980BorderlineCharlie Monroe
  44. 1979Lawman Without a Gun1st State Trooper
  45. 1979Breaking AwayMike's Brother
  46. 1978The Wilds of Ten Thousand IslandsOrville
  47. 1977Oh, God!Police Officer (uncredited)
  48. 1976Cat Murkil and the SilksCoach Larkin
  49. 1975My Father's HouseSergeant
  50. 1974Psycho SistersBrock
  51. 1973An Eye for an EyeSgt. Matthews