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.
51 movies · 26 shows
All Happy Families
2024·5.4
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024·6.6
BRATS
2024·6.0
Lonesome Soldier
2023·4.5
Death in Texas
2022·5.0
American Christmas
2019·3.8
Making a Deal with the Devil
2019·0.0
The Last Big Save
2019·5.8
Once Upon a River
2019·6.5
The Joke Thief
2018·5.8
Uncle John
2015·5.8
A Letter to Dad
2009·5.8
Middle Men
2009·6.5
Gone Baby Gone
2007·7.3
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007·5.9
Bill's Gun Shop
2001·9.0
Escape from Alaska
1999·4.7
Instinct
1999·6.5
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
1998·6.8
Meet the Deedles
1998·4.6
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
1997·5.5
Fast Money
1996·5.3
For Which He Stands
1996·6.5
The Shooter
1995·4.8
Condition Red
1995·4.8
Trapped in Paradise
1994·5.7
Little Big League
1994·5.9
Dirty Work
1992·7.0
Curly Sue
1991·6.4
I Want to Go Home
1989·4.8
Midnight Run
1988·7.2
She's Having a Baby
1988·5.9
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987·6.5
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987·6.8
King Kong Lives
1986·5.3
The Deliberate Stranger
1986·6.3
Last Resort
1986·3.6
Beverly Hills Cop
1984·7.2
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984·6.0
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
1984·9.0
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981·5.3
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
1981·3.9
Borderline
1980·6.1
Lawman Without a Gun
1979·9.0
Breaking Away
1979·7.1
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
1978·0.0
Oh, God!
1977·6.4
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976·5.3
My Father's House
1975·9.0
Psycho Sisters
1974·10.0
An Eye for an Eye
1973·5.6