John Ashton, American actor, known for his roles as a supporting actor in the film franchise ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (A detective loose in Hollywood), died at 76 years old, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Ashton played Detective Sergeant ‘John Taggart’ in various installments from the series of films directed by Eddie Murphy and passed away last Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, after a brief battle with cancer, his representative said, Alan Somersto The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
Detective Sergeant Ashton Taggart appeared in the first two films ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ in 1984 and 1987 next to Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. He returned as the character, now promoted to police chief, in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ (‘A detective loose in Hollywood: Axel F.’), from 2024, recalls the specialized media.
Ashton also appeared in films and television shows spanning more than half a century, including ‘An Eye for an Eye’ (‘Deadly Psycho’) from 1973, ‘So Evil, My Sister’ (‘Fatal accident’) from 1974, ‘Cat Murkil and the Silks’ (‘Eddie the Cat’) from 1976, ‘Borderline’ (’20 Miles from Justice’) from 1980 and ‘Honky Tonk Freeway’ (‘Honky Tonk Freeway’) from 1981, THR states.
The actor also participated in iconic television series such as ‘Columbo’, ‘Police Story’, ‘Barnaby Jones’ and ‘M*A*S*H’and for a season, between 1978 and 1979, he played Willie Jo Garr in ‘Dallas’.
Born in 1948 in Springfield, MassachusettsAshton began his career in theater, touring with companies all over United States and the United Kingdombefore heading to Los Angeles to work in television.
The work Ashton’s best known came in 1984when he starred alongside Eddie Murphy as the tough police officer John Taggart in Beverly Hills Cop.
Remained on paper for the rest of the comedy franchiseappearing in 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II and, more recently, in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. from 2024.
The late actor starred in many other films over the years, including Midnight Run with Robert De NiroLittle Big League, Some Kind of Wonderful, She’s Having a Baby and Gone Baby Gone .
More recently, He dedicated himself to sports radio, presenting the Ashton and Davis Show on 870 ESPN Radio in Colorado.
Outside of his career in show business, Ashton was an avid golf lover and “was always trying new techniques to improve his game and made sure he acquired the latest and greatest equipment,” according to his obituary.
“However, it was in his work as an actor and artist in theater, film and television that his skill and dedication were most clearly demonstrated. John dedicated his career to honing his craft and bringing characters to life on screen,” the obituary continued. “His presence will be greatly missed.”
John Ashton participated in the most recent Eddie Murphy film
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