John Ashton
51 movies · 24 TV shows
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Feb 22, 1948
- Died
- Sep 26, 2024 (age 76)
- Place of birth
- Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Also known as
- John David Ashton · جان اشتون
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.
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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.
Profiles IMDb
Known for
John Ashton: movies and TV shows
Acting (75)
- Upcoming Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
as Judge Nathan Rivers
- 2024 All Happy Families
as Roy Landry
- 2024 Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
as Chief John Taggart
- 2023 Lonesome Soldier
as Macroberts
- 2022 Death in Texas
as Asher
- 2019 American Christmas
as Rob
- 2019 Making a Deal with the Devil
as FBI Director
- 2019 The Last Big Save
as Joseph Bird Sr.
- 2019
- 2018 The Joke Thief
as Joseph Rogers
- 2015 Uncle John
as Uncle John
- 2012
- 2011
- 2009 A Letter to Dad
as Mike Donahue
- 2009 Middle Men
as Morgan
- 2007 Gone Baby Gone
as Nick Poole
- 2007 Reign of the Gargoyles
as Commander Latham
- 2001 Bill's Gun Shop
as Bill Voight
- 1999
- 1999
- 1999 Escape from Alaska
as Kemp
- 1999 Instinct
as Guard Dacks
- 1998
- 1998 The Day Lincoln Was Shot
as Ulysses S. Grant
- 1998 Meet the Deedles
as Capt. Douglas Pine
- 1997 Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
as Peter Bryant
- 1997
- 1996 Fast Money
as Lt. Diego
- 1996 For Which He Stands
as District Attorney
- 1995 The Shooter
as Alex Reed
- 1995 Condition Red
as Deputy Warden
- 1995
- 1994 Trapped in Paradise
as Ed Dawson
- 1994 Little Big League
as Mac MacNally
- 1993
- 1992
- 1992 Dirty Work
as Eddie Ryan
- 1991 Curly Sue
as Frank Arnold
- 1991
- 1989 I Want to Go Home
as Harry Dempsey
- 1989
- 1989
- 1988 Midnight Run
as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
- 1988 She's Having a Baby
as Ken
- 1987 Beverly Hills Cop II
as John Taggart
- 1987 Some Kind of Wonderful
as Cliff Nelson
- 1986 King Kong Lives
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
- 1986 The Deliberate Stranger
as Det. Roger Dunn
- 1986
- 1986 Last Resort
as Phil Cocoran
- 1985
- 1985
- 1984 Beverly Hills Cop
as Sgt. Taggart
- 1984 The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
as Highway Patrolman
- 1984 Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
as Cash Hunt
- 1983
- 1982
- 1981 Honky Tonk Freeway
as Otto Kemper
- 1981 Elvis and the Beauty Queen
as Jake
- 1980 Borderline
as Charlie Monroe
- 1979 Lawman Without a Gun
as 1st State Trooper
- 1979 Breaking Away
as Mike's Brother
- 1978
- 1978 The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
as Orville
- 1977 Oh, God!
as Police Officer (uncredited)
- 1977
- 1976 Cat Murkil and the Silks
as Coach Larkin
- 1975
- 1975 My Father's House
as Sergeant
- 1974 Psycho Sisters
as Brock
- 1973
- 1973 An Eye for an Eye
as Sgt. Matthews
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
Talk shows and appearances (3)
- 2024
- 1992 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1 episode
- 1952 Today
1 episode