John Ashton
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) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), 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.
Acted in
All Happy Families
2024
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024
as Chief John Taggart
BRATS
2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lonesome Soldier
2023
as Macroberts
Death in Texas
2022
as Asher
American Christmas
2019
as Rob
Making a Deal with the Devil
2019
as FBI Director
The Last Big Save
2019
as Joseph Bird Sr.
Once Upon a River
2019
The Joke Thief
2018
as Joseph Rogers
Uncle John
2015
as Uncle John
The Finder
2012
as Franklin Sherman
Fairly Legal
2011
as Lou Fisher
A Letter to Dad
2009
as Mike Donahue
Middle Men
2009
as Morgan
Gone Baby Gone
2007
as Det. Nick Poole
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007
as Commander Latham
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Alan Fewkes
Judging Amy
1999
as Dashiel Purdue
Escape from Alaska
1999
as Kemp
Instinct
1999
as Guard Dacks
Fantasy Island
1998
as Bobby
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
1998
as Ulysses S. Grant
Meet the Deedles
1998
as Capt. Douglas Pine
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
1997
as Peter Bryant
King of the Hill
1997
as Instructor (voice)
Fast Money
1996
as Lt. Diego
For Which He Stands
1996
as District Attorney
The Shooter
1995
as Alex Reed
Condition Red
1995
as Deputy Warden
JAG
1995
as Brian Turque
Trapped in Paradise
1994
as Ed Dawson
Little Big League
1994
as Mac MacNally
The Tommyknockers
1993
as Butch Duggan
A Touch of Frost
1992
Dirty Work
1992
as Eddie Ryan
Curly Sue
1991
as Frank Arnold
I Want to Go Home
1989
as Harry Dempsey
Hardball
1989
as Charlie Battles
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989
as Del Stayner
Midnight Run
1988
as Marvin Dorfler
She's Having a Baby
1988
as Ken
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987
as John Taggart
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987
as Cliff Nelson
King Kong Lives
1986
as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
as Det. Roger Dunn
Last Resort
1986
as Phil Cocoran
The Twilight Zone
1985
as Chief Brady Simmons
A Death in California
1985
as Bob Swalwell
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
as Sgt. Taggart
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
as Highway Patrolman
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
1984
as Cash Hunt
The A-Team
1983
as Cactus Jack Slater
Police Squad!
1982
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
as Otto Kemper
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
1981
as Jake
Borderline
1980
as Charlie Monroe
Lawman Without a Gun
1979
as 1st State Trooper
Breaking Away
1979
as Mike's Brother
Dallas
1978
as Willie Joe Garr
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
1978
as Orville
Oh, God!
1977
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Code R
1977
as Karl
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976
as Coach Larkin
Starsky & Hutch
1975
My Father's House
1975
as Sergeant
Psycho Sisters
1974
as Brock
Police Woman
1974
Kojak
1973
as Cullen
An Eye for an Eye
1973
as Sgt. Matthews
Police Story
1973
M*A*S*H
1972
Columbo
1971
as Calvin MacGruder