7.2
Movie
Acting
John Ashton
- Born
- Died
- (aged 76)
- Birthplace
- Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Credits
- 78 titles
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.
Signature work
Known For
7.2
Movie
8.0
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
7.3
Movie
Gone Baby Gone
6.5
Movie
Beverly Hills Cop II
6.6
Movie
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
7.2
Movie
Midnight Run
7.5
TV
The A-Team
8.1
TV
Columbo
7.9
TV
M*A*S*H
7.4
TV
King of the Hill
6.5
Movie
Instinct
6.4
Movie
Curly Sue
6.9
Movie
Some Kind of Wonderful
6.0
Movie
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
7.9
TV
Police Squad!
7.3
TV
JAG
6.5
Movie
Middle Men
7.2
Movie
Breaking Away
Acting credits 78
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| TBA | Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 Film | Judge Nathan Rivers |
| 2024 | All Happy Families Film | Roy Landry |
| 2024 | Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Film | Chief John Taggart |
| 2024 | BRATS Film | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 2023 | Lonesome Soldier Film | Macroberts |
| 2022 | Death in Texas Film | Asher |
| 2019 | American Christmas Film | Rob |
| 2019 | Making a Deal with the Devil Film | FBI Director |
| 2019 | The Last Big Save Film | Joseph Bird Sr. |
| 2019 | Once Upon a River Film | |
| 2018 | The Joke Thief Film | Joseph Rogers |
| 2015 | Uncle John Film | Uncle John |
| 2012 | The Finder TV | Franklin Sherman (1 ep) |
| 2011 | Fairly Legal TV | Lou Fisher (1 ep) |
| 2009 | A Letter to Dad Film | Mike Donahue |
| 2009 | Middle Men Film | Morgan |
| 2007 | Gone Baby Gone Film | Nick Poole |
| 2007 | Reign of the Gargoyles Film | Commander Latham |
| 2001 | Bill's Gun Shop Film | Bill Voight |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit TV | Alan Fewkes (1 ep) |
| 1999 | Judging Amy TV | Dashiel Purdue (1 ep) |
| 1999 | Escape from Alaska Film | Kemp |
| 1999 | Instinct Film | Guard Dacks |
| 1998 | Fantasy Island TV | Bobby (1 ep) |
| 1998 | The Day Lincoln Was Shot Film | Ulysses S. Grant |
| 1998 | Meet the Deedles Film | Capt. Douglas Pine |
| 1997 | Little Girls in Pretty Boxes Film | Peter Bryant |
| 1997 | King of the Hill TV | Instructor (voice) (1 ep) |
| 1996 | Fast Money Film | Lt. Diego |
| 1996 | For Which He Stands Film | District Attorney |
| 1995 | The Shooter Film | Alex Reed |
| 1995 | Condition Red Film | Deputy Warden |
| 1995 | JAG TV | Brian Turque (2 ep) |
| 1994 | Trapped in Paradise Film | Ed Dawson |
| 1994 | Little Big League Film | Mac MacNally |
| 1993 | The Tommyknockers TV | Butch Duggan (2 ep) |
| 1992 | A Touch of Frost TV | Ridley (1 ep) |
| 1992 | Dirty Work Film | Eddie Ryan |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno TV | (1 ep) |
| 1991 | Curly Sue Film | Frank Arnold |
| 1991 | Love, Lies and Murder TV | Carrothers (2 ep) |
| 1989 | I Want to Go Home Film | Harry Dempsey |
| 1989 | Hardball TV | Charlie Battles (18 ep) |
| 1989 | I Know My First Name Is Steven TV | Del Stayner (2 ep) |
| 1988 | Midnight Run Film | Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby Film | Ken |
| 1987 | Beverly Hills Cop II Film | John Taggart |
| 1987 | Some Kind of Wonderful Film | Cliff Nelson |
| 1986 | King Kong Lives Film | Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger Film | Det. Roger Dunn |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger TV | Det. Roger Dunn (2 ep) |
| 1986 | Last Resort Film | Phil Cocoran |
| 1985 | The Twilight Zone TV | Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon") (1 ep) |
| 1985 | A Death in California TV | Bob Swalwell (2 ep) |
| 1984 | Beverly Hills Cop Film | Sgt. Taggart |
| 1984 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension Film | Highway Patrolman |
| 1984 | Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link Film | Cash Hunt |
| 1983 | The A-Team TV | Cactus Jack Slater (1 ep) |
| 1982 | Police Squad! TV | (1 ep) |
| 1981 | Honky Tonk Freeway Film | Otto Kemper |