Biography
John David Ashton (February 22, 1948 β 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.
Filmography (78)
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
2024
All Happy Families
2024
BRATS
2024
Lonesome Soldier
2023
Death in Texas
2022
Making a Deal with the Devil
2019
The Last Big Save
2019
Once Upon a River
2019
American Christmas
2019
The Joke Thief
2018
Uncle John
2015
The Finder
2012
Fairly Legal
2011
Middle Men
2009
A Letter to Dad
2009
Gone Baby Gone
2007
Reign of the Gargoyles
2007
Bill's Gun Shop
2001
Escape from Alaska
1999
Instinct
1999
Judging Amy
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Meet the Deedles
1998
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
1998
Fantasy Island
1998
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
1997
King of the Hill
1997
Fast Money
1996
For Which He Stands
1996
The Shooter
1995
Condition Red
1995
JAG
1995
Little Big League
1994
Trapped in Paradise
1994
The Tommyknockers
1993
Dirty Work
1992
A Touch of Frost
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
Curly Sue
1991
Love, Lies and Murder
1991
I Want to Go Home
1989
Hardball
1989
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989
Midnight Run
1988
She's Having a Baby
1988
Beverly Hills Cop II
1987
Some Kind of Wonderful
1987
King Kong Lives
1986
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
Last Resort
1986
The Deliberate Stranger
1986
A Death in California
1985
The Twilight Zone
1985
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
1984
The A-Team
1983
Police Squad!
1982
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
Borderline
1980
Lawman Without a Gun
1979
Breaking Away
1979
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
1978
Dallas
1978
Oh, God!
1977
Code R
1977
Cat Murkil and the Silks
1976
My Father's House
1975
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Psycho Sisters
1974
An Eye for an Eye
1973
Kojak
1973
Police Story
1973
M*A*S*H
1972
Columbo
1971
Today
1952
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
English
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