John Ashton
ActingAlso 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. 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.
Movies
(52 total)
Beverly Hills Cop
as Sgt. Taggart
Gone Baby Gone
as Det. Nick Poole
Beverly Hills Cop II
as John Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
as Chief John Taggart
Midnight Run
as Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
Instinct
as Guard Dacks
Curly Sue
as Frank Arnold
Some Kind of Wonderful
as Cliff Nelson
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
as Highway Patrolman
Middle Men
as Morgan
Breaking Away
as Mike's Brother
Trapped in Paradise
as Ed Dawson
King Kong Lives
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
Oh, God!
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Little Big League
as Mac MacNally
Meet the Deedles
as Capt. Douglas Pine
The Shooter
as Alex Reed
BRATS
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Uncle John
as Uncle John
TV Shows
(26 total)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Alan Fewkes
The A-Team
as Cactus Jack Slater
Columbo
as Calvin MacGruder
King of the Hill
as Instructor (voice)
JAG
as Brian Turque
The Twilight Zone
as Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon")
Dallas
as Willie Joe Garr
The Tommyknockers
as Butch Duggan
The Finder
as Franklin Sherman
Kojak
as Cullen
Judging Amy
as Dashiel Purdue
Fairly Legal
as Lou Fisher
I Know My First Name Is Steven
as Del Stayner
Today
as Self
