76
Age
52
Movies
27
TV Shows
6.9
Rating
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.
76
Died at
52
Movies
27
TV Shows
6.9
Avg Rating
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.
1995
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.
Gender
Male
Birthday
February 22, 1948
Died
September 26, 2024
Birthplace
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Also Known As
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024
Dirty Work
1992
Escape from Alaska
1999
Fast Money
1996
The Joke Thief
2018
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007
Trapped in Paradise
1994
Curly Sue
1991
Midnight Run
1988
Gone Baby Gone
2007
BRATS
2024
A Letter to Dad
2009
An Eye for an Eye
1973
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
Instinct
1999
King Kong Lives
1986
Meet the Deedles
1998
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987
+ 32 more movies
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Columbo
1971
JAG
1995
King of the Hill
1997
The A-Team
1983
Dallas
1978
M*A*S*H
1972
The Twilight Zone
1985
Judging Amy
1999
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
Police Woman
1974
Starsky & Hutch
1975
A Touch of Frost
1992
Kojak
1973
The Finder
2012
Police Story
1973
Police Squad!
1982
Fantasy Island
1998
Fairly Legal
2011
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989
+ 7 more TV shows