John Ashton
ActingJohn 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.
Known For
Beverly Hills Cop
Sgt. Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop II
John Taggart
Gone Baby Gone
Nick Poole
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Chief John Taggart
Midnight Run
Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Highway Patrolman
Instinct
Guard Dacks
Curly Sue
Frank Arnold
BRATS
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
King Kong Lives
Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
Filmography — Acting
Beverly Hills Cop
Sgt. Taggart
Beverly Hills Cop II
John Taggart
Gone Baby Gone
Nick Poole
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Chief John Taggart
Midnight Run
Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Highway Patrolman
Instinct
Guard Dacks
Curly Sue
Frank Arnold
BRATS
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
King Kong Lives
Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
Some Kind of Wonderful
Cliff Nelson
Middle Men
Morgan
Little Big League
Mac MacNally
She's Having a Baby
Ken
Trapped in Paradise
Ed Dawson
Oh, God!
Police Officer (uncredited)
Borderline
Charlie Monroe
Breaking Away
Mike's Brother
The Deliberate Stranger
Det. Roger Dunn
I Want to Go Home
Harry Dempsey
Honky Tonk Freeway
Otto Kemper
Reign of the Gargoyles
Commander Latham
Last Resort
Phil Cocoran
Death in Texas
Asher
Meet the Deedles
Capt. Douglas Pine
The Shooter
Alex Reed
All Happy Families
Roy Landry
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
Ulysses S. Grant
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Jake
The Last Big Save
Joseph Bird Sr.
Fast Money
Lt. Diego
An Eye for an Eye
Sgt. Matthews
Lawman Without a Gun
1st State Trooper
My Father's House
Sergeant
Psycho Sisters
Brock
American Christmas
Rob
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Judge Nathan Rivers
For Which He Stands
District Attorney
A Letter to Dad
Mike Donahue
Making a Deal with the Devil
FBI Director
Escape from Alaska
Kemp
Cat Murkil and the Silks
Coach Larkin
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Peter Bryant
Once Upon a River
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Cash Hunt
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
Orville
Lonesome Soldier
Macroberts
Dirty Work
Eddie Ryan
Bill's Gun Shop
Bill Voight
Condition Red
Deputy Warden
The Joke Thief
Joseph Rogers
Uncle John
Uncle John