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John Ashton
Acting
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…
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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.
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BODY OF WORK
John Ashton's Filmography
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All Happy Families
as Roy Landry
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
as Chief John Taggart
BRATS
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lonesome Soldier
as Macroberts
Death in Texas
as Asher
American Christmas
as Rob
Making a Deal with the Devil
as FBI Director
The Last Big Save
as Joseph Bird Sr.
Once Upon a River
The Joke Thief
as Joseph Rogers
Uncle John
as Uncle John
A Letter to Dad
as Mike Donahue
Middle Men
as Morgan
Gone Baby Gone
as Nick Poole
Reign of the Gargoyles
as Commander Latham
Bill's Gun Shop
as Bill Voight
Escape from Alaska
as Kemp
Instinct
as Guard Dacks
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
as Ulysses S. Grant
Meet the Deedles
as Capt. Douglas Pine
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
as Peter Bryant
Fast Money
as Lt. Diego
For Which He Stands
as District Attorney
The Shooter
as Alex Reed
Condition Red
as Deputy Warden
Trapped in Paradise
as Ed Dawson
Little Big League
as Mac MacNally
Dirty Work
as Eddie Ryan
Curly Sue
as Frank Arnold
I Want to Go Home
as Harry Dempsey
Midnight Run
as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
She's Having a Baby
as Ken
Beverly Hills Cop II
as John Taggart
Some Kind of Wonderful
as Cliff Nelson
King Kong Lives
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
The Deliberate Stranger
as Det. Roger Dunn
Last Resort
as Phil Cocoran
Beverly Hills Cop
as Sgt. Taggart
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
as Highway Patrolman
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
as Cash Hunt
Honky Tonk Freeway
as Otto Kemper
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
as Jake
Borderline
as Charlie Monroe
Lawman Without a Gun
as 1st State Trooper
Breaking Away
as Mike's Brother
No Poster
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
as Orville
Oh, God!
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Cat Murkil and the Silks
as Coach Larkin
My Father's House
as Sergeant
Psycho Sisters
as Brock
An Eye for an Eye
as Sgt. Matthews
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
as Judge Nathan Rivers