Birth Day: 1948-02-22
Place of birth: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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.
Credits
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As Self (archive footage) (uncredited) -
As Roy Landry -
As Chief John Taggart -
As Macroberts -
As Asher -
As Joseph Bird Sr. -
As Rob -
As FBI Director -
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As Joseph Rogers -
As Uncle John -
As Mike Donahue -
As Morgan -
As Det. Nick Poole -
As Commander Latham -
As Bill Voight -
As Kemp -
As Guard Dacks -
As Capt. Douglas Pine -
As Ulysses S. Grant -
As Peter Bryant -
As Lt. Diego -
As District Attorney -
As Alex Reed -
As Deputy Warden -
As Mac MacNally -
As Ed Dawson -
As Eddie Ryan -
As Frank Arnold -
As Harry Dempsey -
As Ken -
As Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter -
As Cliff Nelson -
As John Taggart -
As Phil Cocoran -
As Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt -
As Det. Roger Dunn -
As Sgt. Taggart -
As Highway Patrolman -
As Cash Hunt -
As Otto Kemper -
As Jake -
As Charlie Monroe -
As Mike's Brother -
As 1st State Trooper -
As Orville
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As Police Officer (uncredited) -
As Coach Larkin -
As Sergeant -
As Brock -
As Sgt. Matthews -
As Judge Nathan Rivers