Veteran actor John Ashton, best known for his role as the tough but endearing detective John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, has passed away at the age of 76. Ashton died on Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, according to a statement from his family released by his manager, Alan Somers, on Sunday. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Ashton enjoyed a prolific career that spanned more than five decades, appearing in numerous films and TV series. Some of his notable works include Midnight Run, Little Big League, and Gone Baby Gone. However, it was his portrayal of John Taggart in Beverly Hills Cop that left an indelible mark on audiences. Ashton’s character, often the by-the-book partner to Judge Reinhold’s Billy Rosewood, was part of the memorable trio alongside Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley.
Ashton appeared in all four Beverly Hills Cop films, including the most recent installment, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which was released earlier this year on Netflix. His dynamic with Murphy and Reinhold was a cornerstone of the film’s enduring appeal, with his gruff persona frequently softened by moments of humor and reluctant collaboration with Foley.
In addition to his work in the Beverly Hills Cop series, Ashton starred in Martin Brest’s 1988 comedy Midnight Run, where he played a rival bounty hunter opposite Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. Reflecting on his experience auditioning with De Niro, Ashton once recalled a memorable exchange. “Bobby started handing me these matches, and I went to grab them, and he threw them on the floor and stared at me,” Ashton told Collider in July. “I looked up and said, ‘F—- you,’ and he said, ‘F—- you, too.’ I knew every other actor probably picked them up, but De Niro later told me, ‘I want him,’ because he wanted someone to stand up to him.”
Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, two children, three stepchildren, a grandson, two sisters, and a brother.
The actor’s passing marks the end of a remarkable journey through film and television, where his strong screen presence and distinctive performances left a lasting legacy.
