Actor
John Ashton
John Ashton has worked on 49 movies and 24 TV shows, between 1971 and 2024. On Nahoko: 21 movies and 19 TV shows. Best known for Gone Baby Gone, Beverly Hills Cop and Beverly Hills Cop II.
- Born
- 22 February 1948
- Birthplace
- Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Died
- 26 September 2024 (aged 76)
- Also known as
- John David Ashton, جان اشتون
- Nationality
- United States
- Career start
- 1971
- Education
- USC School of Dramatic Arts, Enfield High School, Defiance College
Known for
★ 7.6
Gone Baby Gone2007
★ 7.4
Beverly Hills Cop1984
★ 6.6
Beverly Hills Cop II1987
★ 7.5Rent/BuyMidnight Run1988
★ 6.4
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F2024
★ 7.0
Some Kind of Wonderful1987
★ 6.6Rent/BuyInstinct1999
★ 5.4The Tommyknockers1993
★ 6.2
Little Big League1994
★ 4.0
King Kong Lives1986
★ 7.7I Know My First Name Is Steven1989
★ 7.3The Deliberate Stranger1986
★ 5.1Hidden Assassin1995
★ 5.4I Want to Go Home1989
★ 4.1
Last Resort1986Where to watch
United States
28 of their 40 titles are streaming right now in United States.
Availability: JustWatch · TMDB
Biography
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.
Career in figures
Career
- Active since
- 1973
- Titles on Nahoko
- 21 movies and 19 TV shows
- Main genres
- Crime, Comedy, Action
Ratings and box office
- Average rating
- ★ 6.5 IMDb
- Most voted
- Gone Baby Gone
- Box office
- $746.7M, led by Beverly Hills Cop ($316.4M)
Frequent collaborators
Eddie Murphy3 titles together
Judge Reinhold3 titles together
Ronny Cox2 titles together
Charles Grodin2 titles together
Luke Edwards2 titles togetherFilmography 40
2024
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel FMovieMovie · as Chief John Taggart★ 6.4
2012
- The FinderTV showTV show · as Franklin Sherman · 1 episode
★ 7.7
2011
- Fairly LegalTV showTV show · as Lou Fisher · 1 episode
★ 7.3
2009
- Middle MenMovieMovie · as Morgan★ 6.8
2007
- Gone Baby GoneMovieMovie · as Nick Poole★ 7.6
1999
- InstinctMovieMovie · as Guard DacksRent/Buy★ 6.6
- Judging AmyTV showTV show · as Dashiel Purdue · 1 episode★ 7.1
1997
- King of the HillTV showTV show · as Instructor (voice) · 1 episode
★ 7.6 - DavidTV showTV show · as Alan Fewkes · 1 episode★ 6.9
1995
- JAGTV showTV show · as Brian Turque · 2 episodes★ 6.7
- Hidden AssassinMovieMovie · as Alex Reed★ 5.1
1994
- Trapped in ParadiseMovieMovie · as Ed Dawson★ 5.9
- Little Big LeagueMovieMovie · as Mac MacNally★ 6.2
1993
- The TommyknockersTV showTV show · as Butch Duggan · 2 episodes★ 5.4
1992
- A Touch of FrostTV showTV show · as Ridley · 1 episode
★ 7.9
1991
- Curly SueMovieMovie · as Frank Arnold★ 5.9
1989
- I Know My First Name Is StevenTV showTV show · as Del Stayner · 2 episodes★ 7.7
- I Want to Go HomeMovieMovie · as Harry Dempsey★ 5.4
1988
- Midnight RunMovieMovie · as Marvin Dorfler, HeadhunterRent/Buy★ 7.5
- She's Having a BabyMovieMovie · as Ken★ 6.0
1987
- Beverly Hills Cop IIMovieMovie · as John Taggart★ 6.6
- Some Kind of WonderfulMovieMovie · as Cliff Nelson★ 7.0
1986
- King Kong LivesMovieMovie · as Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt★ 4.0
- The Deliberate StrangerTV showTV show · as Det. Roger Dunn · 2 episodes★ 7.3
- Last ResortMovieMovie · as Phil Cocoran★ 4.1
1985
- The Twilight ZoneTV showTV show · as Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon") · 1 episode★ 7.7
1984
- Beverly Hills CopMovieMovie · as Sgt. Taggart★ 7.4
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th DimensionMovieMovie · as Highway Patrolman
★ 6.2
1983
- The A-TeamTV showTV show · as Cactus Jack Slater · 1 episode★ 7.5
1982
- Police Squad!TV showTV show★ 8.3
1981
- Honky Tonk FreewayMovieMovie · as Otto Kemper
★ 5.2
1980
- BorderlineMovieMovie · as Charlie Monroe★ 6.0
1979
- Breaking AwayMovieMovie · as Mike's BrotherRent/Buy★ 7.7
1978
- DallasTV showTV show · as Willie Joe Garr · 6 episodesRent/Buy★ 7.1
1977
- Oh, God!MovieMovie · as Police Officer (uncredited)★ 6.6
1975
- Starsky and HutchTV showTV show★ 7.0
1973
- KojakTV showTV show · as Cullen · 1 episodeRent/Buy★ 7.1
- Police StoryTV showTV show★ 7.5
1972
- M*A*S*HTV showTV show★ 8.5
1971
- ColumboTV showTV show · as Calvin MacGruder · 1 episode★ 8.3
More credits 34
Not in our catalogue: these links open TMDB.
2024
- All Happy FamiliesMovieMovie · as Roy Landry
2023
- Lonesome SoldierMovieMovie · as Macroberts
2022
- Death in TexasMovieMovie · as Asher
2019
- American ChristmasMovieMovie · as Rob
- Making a Deal with the DevilMovieMovie · as FBI Director
- Once Upon a RiverMovieMovie
- The Last Big SaveMovieMovie · as Joseph Bird Sr.
2018
- The Joke ThiefMovieMovie · as Joseph Rogers
2015
- Uncle JohnMovieMovie · as Uncle John
2009
- A Letter to DadMovieMovie · as Mike Donahue
2007
- Reign of the GargoylesMovieMovie · as Commander Latham
2001
- Bill's Gun ShopMovieMovie · as Bill Voight
1999
- Escape from AlaskaMovieMovie · as Kemp
1998
- Fantasy IslandTV showTV show · as Bobby · 1 episode
- Meet the DeedlesMovieMovie · as Capt. Douglas Pine
- The Day Lincoln Was ShotMovieMovie · as Ulysses S. Grant
1997
- Little Girls in Pretty BoxesMovieMovie · as Peter Bryant
1996
- Fast MoneyMovieMovie · as Lt. Diego
- For Which He StandsMovieMovie · as District Attorney
1995
- Condition RedMovieMovie · as Deputy Warden
1992
- Dirty WorkMovieMovie · as Eddie Ryan
1991
- Love, Lies and MurderTV showTV show · as Carrothers · 2 episodes
1989
- HardballTV showTV show · as Charlie Battles · 18 episodes
1986
- The Deliberate StrangerMovieMovie · as Det. Roger Dunn
1985
- A Death in CaliforniaTV showTV show · as Bob Swalwell · 2 episodes
1984
- Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing LinkMovieMovie · as Cash Hunt
1981
- Elvis and the Beauty QueenMovieMovie · as Jake
1979
- Lawman Without a GunMovieMovie · as 1st State Trooper
1978
- The Wilds of Ten Thousand IslandsMovieMovie · as Orville
1977
- Code RTV showTV show · as Karl · 1 episode
1976
- Cat Murkil and the SilksMovieMovie · as Coach Larkin
1975
- My Father's HouseMovieMovie · as Sergeant
1974
- Psycho SistersMovieMovie · as Brock
1973
- An Eye for an EyeMovieMovie · as Sgt. Matthews