“Beverly Hills Cop” actor John David Ashton passed away on September 26th at the age of 76.
Ashton's agent Alan Summers confirmed that Ashton passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado after a battle with cancer. TMZ. This famous actor has credited more than 200 film, television, and stage productions during his 50 years in Hollywood. Ashton is best known for playing the hard-nosed Sergeant John Taggart, a role played by the rules alongside fellow actor Eddie Murphy in the Beverly Hills Cop series. Ashton took on this monumental role in 1984.
He went on to star in three of the four films in that film series, including the latest version, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” released on Netflix in 2024. This appearance and co-hosting position on 870 ESPN Radio's “Ashton and Davis Show” was his most recent contribution to the world of entertainment.
Other notable credits include his role as Eric Stoltz's father on “M*A*S*H” and “Some Kind of Wonderful.” Ashton co-starred with Robert De Niro in the 1988 film Midnight Run, and has also appeared in films such as An Eye for an Eye, So Evil My Sister, Breaking Away, Borderline, and Honky Tonk. He also appeared in “Freeway''. “Little Big League”, “Trapped in Paradise”, “In the Living Years”, “Fast Money”, “Hidden Assassins”, “Instinct”, “Middle Men”, “Uncle・John”
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 20: John Ashton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' held at the Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center on June 20, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. . (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Ashton's TV credits include Columbo, Police Story, Barnaby Jones, M*A*S*H, Starsky & Hutch, Dallas, The A-Team, EastEnders, Fantasy Island ”, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and service,” Summers said, according to TMZ.
American actor John Ashton attends the premiere of Netflix's 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' at the Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills, California on June 20, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP) ) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
“His memory will be forever cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren, and his brothers, sisters, extended family, and all who loved him. Their impact will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.” (Related: Legendary actress Maggie Smith dies at 89)
The family requests that donations be made to Pathways Hospice Care in Ashton's memory.
