John Ashton, the beloved character actor who captured hearts as Detective John Taggart in the iconic “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, has passed away at the age of 76.
Ashton died on Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, as confirmed by his family in a statement shared by his manager, Alan Somers.
The exact cause of death remains unknown.
With a career that spanned over five decades, Ashton was a familiar face in both film and television.
Beyond his role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” he was celebrated for performances in films like “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League,” and “Gone Baby Gone.”
However, it was his portrayal of the gruff yet endearing Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series that cemented his legacy.
Alongside Eddie Murphy‘s Axel Foley and Judge Reinhold’s Billy Rosewood, Ashton’s character brought humor and depth to the crime-fighting trio.
Taggart was the more cautious and rule-abiding officer, often pulled into Axel’s daring schemes.
Ashton appeared in the original 1984 film, its sequel, and recently reprised his role in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” released earlier this year.
Ashton also left a memorable impression in Martin Brest’s 1988 buddy comedy, “Midnight Run,” where he played a rival bounty hunter.
In a 2023 interview with Collider, Ashton reflected on auditioning with Robert De Niro, recalling a tense moment that helped land him the role.
“I know every other actor picked those [matches] up and handed it to him,” Ashton said, but his bold reaction won De Niro’s approval.
John Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, along with his two children, three stepchildren, a grandson, two sisters, and a brother.
My sincerest condolences to the Ashton family.
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