The fans of Super detective in Hollywood They will never forget Sergeant John Taggart, that moody and implacable police officer – but full of patience – who had to deal with the impudence and recklessness of Axel Floey. That veteran law and order agent who always went out on the streets with his partner Billy Rosewood, younger and inexperienced than him. That character with a mustache and some baldness who left his mark on the cinema was played by actor John Ashton, who sadly has died at the age of 76.
The news of his death was known this Sunday night, although the death occurred last Thursday, September 26 in the city of Fort Collins (Colorado), as reported by the North American press. The American performer, who suffered from cancer, made one of his last public appearances last June for a very special reason. Then, the long-awaited fourth part of the police saga starring Eddie Murphy was presented, just 40 years after that first installment that launched him to global stardom.
John Ashton was at that event held in Beverly Hills, as it could not be otherwise. He was also getting back into the role that made him so popular and it had to be celebrated. With the rest of the cast, we saw him posing very smiling during the promotion in his country of the feature film produced by Netflix. Barely three months have passed since that reunion, where we saw the main faces of Super detective in Hollywood, to the joy and nostalgia of the millions of followers around the world of one of the most popular action and comedy film franchises ever.
Born in 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashton began his career in theater, touring with companies throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, before settling in Los Angeles to work in television. From 1970 to 2000, he made dozens of appearances in such legendary series as Kojak, Colombo, Mash either Starsky & Hutch. He also had a regular role in the legendary dallas, playing the character of Willie Joe Garr. In cinema, other films in which he participated were Escape at midnight (1988) with Robert De Niro, someone wonderful (1987), The crazy adventure of marriage (1988) or Goodbye, little one, goodbye (2007).
Outside of his career in the world of film and television, the actor has recently dedicated himself to sports radio and presented his own program: Ashton and Davis Show, on 870 ESPN in Colorado. In this sense, he was a great fan of golf and he himself practiced it regularly. “His presence will be greatly missed. He leaves a legacy of love, dedication and service,” reads his obituary.
On a personal level, John Ashton is mourned today by his widow Robin Hoye, to whom he had been married for almost 25 years; his children Michelle and Michael Thomas Ashton; her stepchildren Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio and Ashley Hoye; his grandson Henry; his sisters Sharon Ann and Linda, and his brother Edward Richard Ashton, as recorded People.