John Ashton
Biography
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.
Known For
All Movies (52)
- All Happy Families2024 · as Roy Landry
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F2024 · as Chief John Taggart
- BRATS2024 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Lonesome Soldier2023 · as Macroberts
- Death in Texas2022 · as Asher
- American Christmas2019 · as Rob
- Making a Deal with the Devil2019 · as FBI Director
- The Last Big Save2019 · as Joseph Bird Sr.
- Once Upon a River2019
- The Joke Thief2018 · as Joseph Rogers
- Uncle John2015 · as Uncle John
- A Letter to Dad2009 · as Mike Donahue
- Middle Men2009 · as Morgan
- Gone Baby Gone2007 · as Nick Poole
- Reign of the Gargoyles2007 · as Commander Latham
- Bill's Gun Shop2001 · as Bill Voight
- Escape from Alaska1999 · as Kemp
- Instinct1999 · as Guard Dacks
- The Day Lincoln Was Shot1998 · as Ulysses S. Grant
- Meet the Deedles1998 · as Capt. Douglas Pine
- Little Girls in Pretty Boxes1997 · as Peter Bryant
- Fast Money1996 · as Lt. Diego
- For Which He Stands1996 · as District Attorney
- The Shooter1995 · as Alex Reed
- Condition Red1995 · as Deputy Warden
- Trapped in Paradise1994 · as Ed Dawson
- Little Big League1994 · as Mac MacNally
- Dirty Work1992 · as Eddie Ryan
- Curly Sue1991 · as Frank Arnold
- I Want to Go Home1989 · as Harry Dempsey
- Midnight Run1988 · as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
- She's Having a Baby1988 · as Ken
- Beverly Hills Cop II1987 · as John Taggart
- Some Kind of Wonderful1987 · as Cliff Nelson
- King Kong Lives1986 · as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
- The Deliberate Stranger1986 · as Det. Roger Dunn
- Last Resort1986 · as Phil Cocoran
- Beverly Hills Cop1984 · as Sgt. Taggart
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension1984 · as Highway Patrolman
- Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link1984 · as Cash Hunt
- Honky Tonk Freeway1981 · as Otto Kemper
- Elvis and the Beauty Queen1981 · as Jake
- Borderline1980 · as Charlie Monroe
- Lawman Without a Gun1979 · as 1st State Trooper
- Breaking Away1979 · as Mike's Brother
- The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands1978 · as Orville
- Oh, God!1977 · as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Cat Murkil and the Silks1976 · as Coach Larkin
- My Father's House1975 · as Sergeant
- Psycho Sisters1974 · as Brock
- An Eye for an Eye1973 · as Sgt. Matthews
- Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2— · as Judge Nathan Rivers
All TV Shows (26)
- The Finder2012 · as Franklin Sherman
- Fairly Legal2011 · as Lou Fisher
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · as Alan Fewkes
- Judging Amy1999 · as Dashiel Purdue
- Fantasy Island1998 · as Bobby
- King of the Hill1997 · as Instructor (voice)
- JAG1995 · as Brian Turque
- The Tommyknockers1993 · as Butch Duggan
- A Touch of Frost1992 · as Ridley
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1992
- Love, Lies and Murder1991 · as Carrothers
- Hardball1989 · as Charlie Battles
- I Know My First Name Is Steven1989 · as Del Stayner
- The Deliberate Stranger1986 · as Det. Roger Dunn
- The Twilight Zone1985 · as Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon")
- A Death in California1985 · as Bob Swalwell
- The A-Team1983 · as Cactus Jack Slater
- Police Squad!1982
- Dallas1978 · as Willie Joe Garr
- Code R1977 · as Karl
- Starsky & Hutch1975
- Kojak1973 · as Cullen
- Police Story1973
- M*A*S*H1972
- Columbo1971 · as Calvin MacGruder
- Today1952 · as Self