John Ashton, beloved for his role as Detective John Taggart in the iconic Beverly Hills Cop films alongside Eddie Murphy, has passed away at the age of 76. His manager confirmed the news on Sunday, September 29, revealing that Ashton died “peacefully” in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Thursday following a battle with cancer.
A heartfelt statement shared by his family reflected on his legacy: “John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, extended family, and all who loved him.”
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1948, Ashton’s journey into acting began after he transferred from Defiance College in Ohio to the University of Southern California, where he earned a BA in theater arts. His early film roles included appearances in An Eye for an Eye (1973), Breaking Away (1979), and Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), before his career took off with Beverly Hills Cop in 1984.
Ashton’s portrayal of the tough yet lovable Sergeant Taggart opposite Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley won him a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. He reprised the role in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and recently made a return for Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024).
Reflecting on his role as Taggart earlier this year, Ashton told Comic Book Resources, “I walk down the street, and people go, ‘Hey Taggart!’ At first, I got a little upset because I had done so many other things. But as the years have gone on, I really enjoy it now. There’s not too many actors that can put a stamp on a role that will be with them for eternity, so I take that as an honor now.”
Outside of Beverly Hills Cop, Ashton’s career spanned a wide range of memorable roles. In 1987, he appeared in the John Hughes-penned comedy Some Kind of Wonderful as Eric Stoltz’s character’s father and later reunited with Hughes in She’s Having a Baby (1988). That same year, he starred opposite Robert De Niro in Midnight Run as a rival bounty hunter, cementing his status as a versatile actor often cast in tough-guy roles.
On the small screen, Ashton made guest appearances in TV classics like Columbo, Starsky & Hutch, Dallas, The A-Team, The Twilight Zone, and more recently, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His later film credits included Gone Baby Gone (2007), Middle Men (2009), and Once Upon a River (2019).
Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, his children Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton, stepchildren Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio, and Ashley Hoye, and his grandson Henry.
Though he has passed, John Ashton’s contributions to film and television will be remembered for generations, leaving behind a legacy of performances that touched the hearts of many.