Mourning in the world of cinema: John Ashton was 76 years old
The world of cinema mourns the passing of John Ashton. The actor famous for playing Sergeant John Taggart in the popular saga Beverly Hills Copalongside Eddie Murphy. Ashton died at the age of 76 at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, due to cancer, as confirmed by his agent to Variety.
Ashton, born February 22, 1948 in Springfield, played the Sergeant Taggart in the first two films of the series, released in 1984 and 1987 respectively, helping to create one of cinema’s most beloved detective couples together with Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. In 2024, Ashton returned to play his iconic character in the new film of the series, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Here Taggart, now chief of police, had found Axel Foley, the protagonist played by Murphy.
John Ashton’s career has spanned more than five decades, making him a familiar face on both the big and small screen. After graduating from the University of Southern California’s theater school, Ashton made his film debut with An eye for an eye in 1973. In the 1970s he participated in numerous successful television series, including Emergency!, Columbo, Starsky and Hutch And Dallas.
One of his most memorable television appearances was in the first episode of the third season of A-Teamwhere he played Cactus Jack Slater.
Ashton has participated in numerous cult films such as Before midnight And King Kong 2demonstrating his versatility as an actor, capable of playing roles that ranged from drama to action, through comedy.
John Ashton married twice. The first in 1968 with Victoria Marie Runnwith whom he had a daughter; the marriage ended in divorce in 1970. In 1976 he married producer Bridget Baker, with whom he had a son. The couple divorced in 2001.
Despite the many roles he played in a career spanning more than 50 years, John Ashton will be best remembered for his role in the first two films of Beverly Hills Cop. His character, serious but with a heart of gold, formed with Axel Foley a duo capable of balancing action and comedy, helping to create some of the funniest and most memorable scenes of the 80s.
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