Beloved ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Actor John Ashton Passes Away at 76

By
Julie H.
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9

John Ashton, the celebrated veteran character actor who brought the gruff yet endearing police detective John Taggart to life in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, has passed away at the age of 76. Ashton died on Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, as announced by his family in a statement released by Ashton’s manager, Alan Somers, on Sunday. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Ashton’s career, which spanned more than five decades, saw him become a familiar presence in both television series and films. His notable works include roles in “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League,” and “Gone Baby Gone.”


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However, it was his performance in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series that etched him into the memories of many. He was part of a memorable trio, alongside Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley, the audacious Detroit detective chasing down a case in Los Angeles, and Judge Reinhold’s character, Billy Rosewood. The dynamic of the trio was pivotal to the films, with Taggart being the more cautious, rule-following “Sarge” but often getting pulled into Axel’s risky plans. Ashton appeared in the first two films of the series, starting with the 1984 original, and reprised his role in the recent Netflix reboot, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which premiered earlier this year.

In 1988, Ashton showcased his versatility by playing a more unscrupulous character in Martin Brest’s buddy comedy “Midnight Run,” where he was a rival bounty hunter competing against Robert De Niro’s Jack Walsh for Charles Grodin’s character, “The Duke.”

Reflecting on his audition for “Midnight Run” during a July interview with Collider, Ashton shared a revealing moment with Robert De Niro. “Bobby started handing me these matches, and I went to grab the matches, and he threw them on the floor and stared at me,” Ashton recounted. “I looked at the matches, and I looked up, and I said, ‘F—- you,’ and he said, ‘F—- you, too.’ I said, ‘Go —- yourself.’ I know every other actor picked those up and handed it to him, and I found out as soon as I left he went, ‘I want him,’ because he wanted somebody to stand up to him.”

John Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, two children, three stepchildren, a grandson, two sisters, and a brother.