Portrait of John Ashton

John Ashton

Bio: 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
Born: Sun, Feb 22 1948
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Death: Thu, Sep 26 2024
John Ashton is 76 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of All Happy Families
All Happy Families
John Ashton was 76 in All Happy Families
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 20 2024
Poster of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
John Ashton was 76 in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F as 'Chief John Taggart'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 20 2024
Poster of BRATS
BRATS
John Ashton was 76 in BRATS as 'Self (archive footage) (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 07 2024
Poster of Lonesome Soldier
Lonesome Soldier
John Ashton was 75 in Lonesome Soldier as 'Macroberts'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 03 2023
Poster of Death in Texas
Death in Texas
John Ashton was 74 in Death in Texas as 'Asher'.
Movie Released: Thu, Oct 06 2022
Poster of American Christmas
American Christmas
John Ashton was 71 in American Christmas as 'Rob'.
Movie Released: Mon, Nov 04 2019
Poster of Making a Deal with the Devil
Making a Deal with the Devil
John Ashton was 71 in Making a Deal with the Devil as 'FBI Director'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 20 2019
Poster of The Last Big Save
The Last Big Save
John Ashton was 71 in The Last Big Save as 'Joseph Bird Sr.'.
Movie Released: Sat, May 18 2019
Poster of Once Upon a River
Once Upon a River
John Ashton was 71 in Once Upon a River
Movie Released: Fri, May 10 2019
Poster of The Joke Thief
The Joke Thief
John Ashton was 70 in The Joke Thief as 'Joseph Rogers'.
Movie Released: Mon, Apr 16 2018
Poster of Uncle John
Uncle John
John Ashton was 67 in Uncle John as 'Uncle John'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 16 2015
Poster of A Letter to Dad
A Letter to Dad
John Ashton was 61 in A Letter to Dad as 'Mike Donahue'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jul 27 2009
Poster of Middle Men
Middle Men
John Ashton was 61 in Middle Men as 'Morgan'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 17 2009
Poster of Gone Baby Gone
Gone Baby Gone
John Ashton was 59 in Gone Baby Gone as 'Det. Nick Poole'.
Movie Released: Tue, Sep 18 2007
Poster of Reign of the Gargoyles
Reign of the Gargoyles
John Ashton was 59 in Reign of the Gargoyles as 'Commander Latham'.
Movie Released: Sat, Mar 24 2007
Poster of Escape from Alaska
Escape from Alaska
John Ashton was 51 in Escape from Alaska as 'Kemp'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jul 28 1999
Poster of Instinct
Instinct
John Ashton was 51 in Instinct as 'Guard Dacks'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 04 1999
Poster of The Day Lincoln Was Shot
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
John Ashton was 50 in The Day Lincoln Was Shot as 'Ulysses S. Grant'.
Movie Released: Sun, Apr 12 1998
Poster of Meet the Deedles
Meet the Deedles
John Ashton was 50 in Meet the Deedles as 'Capt. Douglas Pine'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 27 1998
Poster of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
John Ashton was 48 in Little Girls in Pretty Boxes as 'Peter Bryant'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 18 1997
Poster of Fast Money
Fast Money
John Ashton was 48 in Fast Money as 'Lt. Diego'.
Movie Released: Tue, Aug 13 1996
Poster of For Which He Stands
For Which He Stands
John Ashton was 48 in For Which He Stands as 'District Attorney'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 17 1996
Poster of The Shooter
The Shooter
John Ashton was 47 in The Shooter as 'Alex Reed'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 15 1995
Poster of Condition Red
Condition Red
John Ashton was 47 in Condition Red as 'Deputy Warden'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 08 1995
Poster of Trapped in Paradise
Trapped in Paradise
John Ashton was 46 in Trapped in Paradise as 'Ed Dawson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 02 1994
Poster of Little Big League
Little Big League
John Ashton was 46 in Little Big League as 'Mac MacNally'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 29 1994
Poster of Dirty Work
Dirty Work
John Ashton was 44 in Dirty Work as 'Eddie Ryan'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jul 22 1992
Poster of Curly Sue
Curly Sue
John Ashton was 43 in Curly Sue as 'Frank Arnold'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 25 1991
Poster of I Want to Go Home
I Want to Go Home
John Ashton was 41 in I Want to Go Home as 'Harry Dempsey'.
Movie Released: Wed, Sep 27 1989
Poster of Midnight Run
Midnight Run
John Ashton was 40 in Midnight Run as 'Marvin Dorfler'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jul 20 1988
Poster of She's Having a Baby
She's Having a Baby
John Ashton was 39 in She's Having a Baby as 'Ken'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 05 1988
Poster of Beverly Hills Cop II
Beverly Hills Cop II
John Ashton was 39 in Beverly Hills Cop II as 'John Taggart'.
Movie Released: Mon, May 18 1987
Poster of Some Kind of Wonderful
Some Kind of Wonderful
John Ashton was 39 in Some Kind of Wonderful as 'Cliff Nelson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 27 1987
Poster of King Kong Lives
King Kong Lives
John Ashton was 38 in King Kong Lives as 'Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt'.
Movie Released: Tue, Dec 16 1986
Poster of The Deliberate Stranger
The Deliberate Stranger
John Ashton was 38 in The Deliberate Stranger as 'Det. Roger Dunn'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 04 1986
Poster of Last Resort
Last Resort
John Ashton was 38 in Last Resort as 'Phil Cocoran'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 31 1986
Poster of Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop
John Ashton was 36 in Beverly Hills Cop as 'Sgt. Taggart'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 05 1984
Poster of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
John Ashton was 36 in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension as 'Highway Patrolman'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 10 1984
Poster of Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link
John Ashton was 35 in Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link as 'Cash Hunt'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 01 1984
Poster of Honky Tonk Freeway
Honky Tonk Freeway
John Ashton was 33 in Honky Tonk Freeway as 'Otto Kemper'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 21 1981
Poster of Elvis and the Beauty Queen
Elvis and the Beauty Queen
John Ashton was 33 in Elvis and the Beauty Queen as 'Jake'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 01 1981
Poster of Borderline
Borderline
John Ashton was 32 in Borderline as 'Charlie Monroe'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 19 1980
Poster of Lawman Without a Gun
Lawman Without a Gun
John Ashton was 31 in Lawman Without a Gun as '1st State Trooper'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 30 1979
Poster of Breaking Away
Breaking Away
John Ashton was 31 in Breaking Away as 'Mike's Brother'.
Movie Released: Thu, May 24 1979
Poster of The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
John Ashton was 30 in The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands as 'Orville'.
Movie Released: Tue, Feb 28 1978
Poster of Oh, God!
Oh, God!
John Ashton was 29 in Oh, God! as 'Police Officer (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 07 1977
Poster of Cat Murkil and the Silks
Cat Murkil and the Silks
John Ashton was 28 in Cat Murkil and the Silks as 'Coach Larkin'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jul 01 1976
Poster of My Father's House
My Father's House
John Ashton was 27 in My Father's House as 'Sergeant'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 01 1975
Poster of Psycho Sisters
Psycho Sisters
John Ashton was 26 in Psycho Sisters as 'Brock'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 25 1974
Poster of An Eye for an Eye
An Eye for an Eye
John Ashton was 25 in An Eye for an Eye as 'Sgt. Matthews'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 28 1973
Poster of Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2
John Ashton will be 76+ in Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 as 'Judge Nathan Rivers'.
Movie Released: Unreleased

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of The Finder
The Finder
John Ashton was 63+ in The Finder as 'Franklin Sherman'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 12 2012
Poster of Fairly Legal
Fairly Legal
John Ashton was 62+ in Fairly Legal as 'Lou Fisher'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 20 2011
Poster of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
John Ashton was 51+ in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as 'Alan Fewkes'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 20 1999
Poster of Judging Amy
Judging Amy
John Ashton was 51+ in Judging Amy as 'Dashiel Purdue'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 19 1999
Poster of Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island
John Ashton was 50+ in Fantasy Island as 'Bobby'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 26 1998
Poster of King of the Hill
King of the Hill
John Ashton was 48+ in King of the Hill as 'Instructor (voice)'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 12 1997
Poster of JAG
JAG
John Ashton was 47+ in JAG as 'Brian Turque'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 23 1995
Poster of The Tommyknockers
The Tommyknockers
John Ashton was 45+ in The Tommyknockers as 'Butch Duggan'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, May 09 1993
Poster of A Touch of Frost
A Touch of Frost
John Ashton was 44+ in A Touch of Frost
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Dec 06 1992
Poster of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
John Ashton was 44+ in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, May 25 1992
Poster of Hardball
Hardball
John Ashton was 41+ in Hardball as 'Charlie Battles'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 21 1989
Poster of I Know My First Name Is Steven
I Know My First Name Is Steven
John Ashton was 41+ in I Know My First Name Is Steven as 'Del Stayner'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, May 22 1989
Poster of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
John Ashton was 37+ in The Twilight Zone as 'Chief Brady Simmons'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1985
Poster of A Death in California
A Death in California
John Ashton was 37+ in A Death in California as 'Bob Swalwell'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, May 12 1985
Poster of The A-Team
The A-Team
John Ashton was 34+ in The A-Team as 'Cactus Jack Slater'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 23 1983
Poster of Police Squad!
Police Squad!
John Ashton was 34+ in Police Squad!
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Mar 04 1982
Poster of Dallas
Dallas
John Ashton was 30+ in Dallas as 'Willie Joe Garr'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Apr 02 1978
Poster of Code R
Code R
John Ashton was 28+ in Code R as 'Karl'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jan 21 1977
Poster of Starsky & Hutch
Starsky & Hutch
John Ashton was 27+ in Starsky & Hutch
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 10 1975
Poster of Police Woman
Police Woman
John Ashton was 26+ in Police Woman
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 13 1974
Poster of Kojak
Kojak
John Ashton was 25+ in Kojak as 'Cullen'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Oct 24 1973
Poster of Police Story
Police Story
John Ashton was 25+ in Police Story
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Mar 20 1973
Poster of M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
John Ashton was 24+ in M*A*S*H
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 17 1972
Poster of Columbo
Columbo
John Ashton was 23+ in Columbo as 'Calvin MacGruder'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 15 1971
Poster of Today
Today
John Ashton was 3+ in Today as 'Self'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jan 14 1952