Acting
John Ashton
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
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Film · 2024
All Happy Families
Film · 2024
BRATS
Film · 2024
Lonesome Soldier
Film · 2023
Death in Texas
Film · 2022
Making a Deal with the Devil
Film · 2019
The Last Big Save
Film · 2019
Once Upon a River
Film · 2019
American Christmas
Film · 2019
The Joke Thief
Film · 2018
Uncle John
Film · 2015
The Finder
Series · 2012
Fairly Legal
Series · 2011
Middle Men
Film · 2009
A Letter to Dad
Film · 2009
Gone Baby Gone
Film · 2007
Reign of the Gargoyles
Film · 2007
Bill's Gun Shop
Film · 2001
Escape from Alaska
Film · 1999
Instinct
Film · 1999
Judging Amy
Series · 1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Series · 1999
Meet the Deedles
Film · 1998
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Film · 1998
Fantasy Island
Series · 1998
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Film · 1997
King of the Hill
Series · 1997
Fast Money
Film · 1996
For Which He Stands
Film · 1996
The Shooter
Film · 1995
Condition Red
Film · 1995
JAG
Series · 1995
Little Big League
Film · 1994
Trapped in Paradise
Film · 1994
The Tommyknockers
Series · 1993
Dirty Work
Film · 1992
A Touch of Frost
Series · 1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Series · 1992
Curly Sue
Film · 1991
Love, Lies and Murder
Series · 1991
I Want to Go Home
Film · 1989
Hardball
Series · 1989
I Know My First Name Is Steven
Series · 1989
Midnight Run
Film · 1988
She's Having a Baby
Film · 1988
Beverly Hills Cop II
Film · 1987
Some Kind of Wonderful
Film · 1987
King Kong Lives
Film · 1986
The Deliberate Stranger
Film · 1986
Last Resort
Film · 1986
The Deliberate Stranger
Series · 1986
A Death in California
Series · 1985
The Twilight Zone
Series · 1985
Beverly Hills Cop
Film · 1984
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Film · 1984
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Film · 1984
The A-Team
Series · 1983
Police Squad!
Series · 1982
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Film · 1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
Film · 1981
Borderline
Film · 1980
Lawman Without a Gun
Film · 1979
Breaking Away
Film · 1979
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
Film · 1978
Dallas
Series · 1978
Oh, God!
Film · 1977
Code R
Series · 1977
Cat Murkil and the Silks
Film · 1976
My Father's House
Film · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
Series · 1975
Psycho Sisters
Film · 1974
An Eye for an Eye
Film · 1973
Kojak
Series · 1973
Police Story
Series · 1973
M*A*S*H
Series · 1972
Columbo
Series · 1971
Today
Series · 1952
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Film