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
Sgt. Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop
John Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop II
1st State Trooper
Lawman Without a Gun
Det. Nick Poole
Gone Baby Gone
Mike's Brother
Breaking Away
Mac MacNally
Little Big League
Ed Dawson
Trapped in Paradise
Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
King Kong Lives
Charlie Monroe
Borderline
Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
Midnight Run
Ken
She's Having a Baby
Capt. Douglas Pine
Meet the Deedles
Commander Latham
Reign of the Gargoyles
Brock
Psycho Sisters
Cliff Nelson
Some Kind of Wonderful
Sgt. Matthews
An Eye for an Eye
Kemp
Escape from Alaska
Alex Reed
The Shooter
Det. Roger Dunn
The Deliberate Stranger
Orville
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
Lt. Diego
Fast Money
Coach Larkin
Cat Murkil and the Silks
District Attorney
For Which He Stands
Ulysses S. Grant
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Peter Bryant
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Morgan
Middle Men
Phil Cocoran
Last Resort
Macroberts
Lonesome Soldier
Police Officer (uncredited)
Oh, God!
Chief John Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Roy Landry
All Happy Families
Uncle John
Uncle John
Eddie Ryan
Dirty Work
Deputy Warden
Condition Red
Guard Dacks
Instinct
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
BRATS
Frank Arnold
Curly Sue
Highway Patrolman
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Joseph Rogers
The Joke Thief
Jake
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
FBI Director
Making a Deal with the Devil
Joseph Bird Sr.
The Last Big Save
Once Upon a River
Rob
American Christmas
Otto Kemper
Honky Tonk Freeway
Mike Donahue
A Letter to Dad
Harry Dempsey
I Want to Go Home
Asher
Death in Texas
Cash Hunt
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Sergeant
My Father's House
Judge Nathan Rivers
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
51
Gender
Male
Birthday
1948-02-22
Place of Birth
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Also Known As
John David Ashton