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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRATS (2024) | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 7.3 |
| 2 | Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) | Chief John Taggart | 6.8 |
| 3 | Death in Texas (2022) | Asher | - |
| 4 | Making a Deal with the Devil (2019) | FBI Director | - |
| 5 | Once Upon a River (2019) | - | - |
| 6 | Uncle John (2015) | Uncle John | 6 |
| 7 | Middle Men (2009) | Morgan | 7.3 |
| 8 | Gone Baby Gone (2007) Oscars 2008 | Nick Poole | 7.6 |
| 9 | Instinct (1999) | Guard Dacks | 6.8 |
| 10 | Meet the Deedles (1998) | Capt. Douglas Pine | 3 |
| 11 | The Shooter (1995) | Alex Reed | 2 |
| 12 | Trapped in Paradise (1994) | Ed Dawson | 6.8 |
| 13 | Little Big League (1994) | Mac MacNally | - |
| 14 | Curly Sue (1991) | Frank Arnold | 6 |
| 15 | I Want to Go Home (1989) | Harry Dempsey | 5 |
| 16 | She's Having a Baby (1988) | Ken | - |
| 17 | Midnight Run (1988) | Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter | 7.3 |
| 18 | Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) | John Taggart | 6.8 |
| 19 | Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) | Cliff Nelson | 7 |
| 20 | King Kong Lives (1986) | Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt | 5.3 |
| 21 | The Deliberate Stranger (1986) | Det. Roger Dunn | - |
| 22 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) | Highway Patrolman | 6.4 |
| 23 | Beverly Hills Cop (1984) | Sgt. Taggart | 7.3 |
| 24 | Breaking Away (1979) | Mike's Brother | 7 |
| 25 | Oh, God! (1977) | Police Officer (uncredited) | 6 |
