Beverly Hills Cop1984
As Sgt. Taggart
TMDb 7.2 / 10
John Ashton
Born
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.
Filmography (52)
Beverly Hills Cop II1987
As John Taggart
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F2024
As Chief John Taggart
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Gone Baby Gone2007
As Nick Poole
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Midnight Run1988
As Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter
TMDb 7.2 / 10
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension1984
As Highway Patrolman
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Instinct1999
As Guard Dacks
TMDb 6.5 / 10
King Kong Lives1986
As Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt
TMDb 5.2 / 10
Borderline1980
As Charlie Monroe
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Middle Men2009
As Morgan
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Curly Sue1991
As Frank Arnold
TMDb 6.4 / 10
She's Having a Baby1988
As Ken
TMDb 5.9 / 10
Some Kind of Wonderful1987
As Cliff Nelson
TMDb 6.9 / 10
Breaking Away1979
As Mike's Brother
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Trapped in Paradise1994
As Ed Dawson
TMDb 5.6 / 10
Little Big League1994
As Mac MacNally
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Oh, God!1977
As Police Officer (uncredited)
TMDb 6.4 / 10
The Shooter1995
As Alex Reed
TMDb 4.8 / 10
BRATS2024
As Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
TMDb 6.1 / 10
The Deliberate Stranger1986
As Det. Roger Dunn
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Meet the Deedles1998
As Capt. Douglas Pine
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Honky Tonk Freeway1981
As Otto Kemper
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Death in Texas2022
As Asher
TMDb 5.2 / 10
Psycho Sisters1974
As Brock
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Last Resort1986
As Phil Cocoran
TMDb 3.7 / 10
Lawman Without a Gun1979
As 1st State Trooper
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Condition Red1995
As Deputy Warden
TMDb 4.8 / 10
Uncle John2015
As Uncle John
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Lonesome Soldier2023
As Macroberts
TMDb 4.5 / 10
I Want to Go Home1989
As Harry Dempsey
TMDb 4.8 / 10
My Father's House1975
As Sergeant
TMDb 9.0 / 10
For Which He Stands1996
As District Attorney
TMDb 6.5 / 10
The Day Lincoln Was Shot1998
As Ulysses S. Grant
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Reign of the Gargoyles2007
As Commander Latham
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Dirty Work1992
As Eddie Ryan
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Cat Murkil and the Silks1976
As Coach Larkin
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Fast Money1996
As Lt. Diego
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Escape from Alaska1999
As Kemp
TMDb 4.7 / 10
American Christmas2019
As Rob
TMDb 3.8 / 10
All Happy Families2024
As Roy Landry
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes1997
As Peter Bryant
TMDb 5.5 / 10
Elvis and the Beauty Queen1981
As Jake
TMDb 3.9 / 10
An Eye for an Eye1973
As Sgt. Matthews
TMDb 5.6 / 10
The Last Big Save2019
As Joseph Bird Sr.
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link1984
As Cash Hunt
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Once Upon a River2019
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Making a Deal with the Devil2019
As FBI Director
The Joke Thief2018
As Joseph Rogers
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2Release date TBA
As Judge Nathan Rivers
Bill's Gun Shop2001
As Bill Voight
TMDb 9.0 / 10
A Letter to Dad2009
As Mike Donahue
TMDb 5.8 / 10
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands
The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands1978
As Orville
Filmography and biography: TMDb