
John Ashton
Acting
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.
TV Shows(26)

The Finder
Franklin Sherman
2012

Fairly Legal
Lou Fisher
2011

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Alan Fewkes
1999

Judging Amy
Dashiel Purdue
1999

Fantasy Island
Bobby
1998

King of the Hill
Instructor (voice)
1997

JAG
Brian Turque
1995

The Tommyknockers
Butch Duggan
1993

A Touch of Frost
Ridley
1992

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992

Love, Lies and Murder
Carrothers
1991

Hardball
Charlie Battles
1989

I Know My First Name Is Steven
Del Stayner
1989

The Deliberate Stranger
Det. Roger Dunn
1986

The Twilight Zone
Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon")
1985

A Death in California
Bob Swalwell
1985

The A-Team
Cactus Jack Slater
1983

Police Squad!
1982

Dallas
Willie Joe Garr
1978

Code R
Karl
1977

Starsky & Hutch
1975

Kojak
Cullen
1973

Police Story
1973

M*A*S*H
1972

Columbo
Calvin MacGruder
1971

Today
Self
1952
Movies(52)

All Happy Families
Roy Landry
2024

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Chief John Taggart
2024

BRATS
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024

Lonesome Soldier
Macroberts
2023

Death in Texas
Asher
2022

American Christmas
Rob
2019

Making a Deal with the Devil
FBI Director
2019

The Last Big Save
Joseph Bird Sr.
2019

Once Upon a River
2019

The Joke Thief
Joseph Rogers
2018

Uncle John
Uncle John
2015

A Letter to Dad
Mike Donahue
2009

Middle Men
Morgan
2009

Gone Baby Gone
Nick Poole
2007

Reign of the Gargoyles
Commander Latham
2007

Bill's Gun Shop
Bill Voight
2001

Escape from Alaska
Kemp
1999

Instinct
Guard Dacks
1999

The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Ulysses S. Grant
1998

Meet the Deedles
Capt. Douglas Pine
1998

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Peter Bryant
1997

Fast Money
Lt. Diego
1996

For Which He Stands
District Attorney
1996

The Shooter
Alex Reed
1995

Condition Red
Deputy Warden
1995

Trapped in Paradise
Ed Dawson
1994

Little Big League
Mac MacNally
1994

Dirty Work
Eddie Ryan
1992

Curly Sue
Frank Arnold
1991

I Want to Go Home
Harry Dempsey
1989

Midnight Run
Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
1988

She's Having a Baby
Ken
1988

Beverly Hills Cop II
John Taggart
1987

Some Kind of Wonderful
Cliff Nelson
1987

King Kong Lives
Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
1986

The Deliberate Stranger
Det. Roger Dunn
1986

Last Resort
Phil Cocoran
1986

Beverly Hills Cop
Sgt. Taggart
1984

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Highway Patrolman
1984

Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Cash Hunt
1984

Honky Tonk Freeway
Otto Kemper
1981

Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Jake
1981

Borderline
Charlie Monroe
1980

Lawman Without a Gun
1st State Trooper
1979

Breaking Away
Mike's Brother
1979
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
Orville
1978

Oh, God!
Police Officer (uncredited)
1977

Cat Murkil and the Silks
Coach Larkin
1976

My Father's House
Sergeant
1975

Psycho Sisters
Brock
1974

An Eye for an Eye
Sgt. Matthews
1973

Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Judge Nathan Rivers