Acting credits
77
Prolific
Very extensive acting filmography.
Actor
John Ashton
Acting
Career Snapshot
ExplainedThese indicators come from TMDB. They are relative signals, not review ratings.
TMDB popularity
1.7
Low visibility
TMDB internal trend index. Higher usually means more searches and page activity now.
Movies: 51Series: 26
TMDB ID: 778
IMDb ID: nm0039226
Known for: Acting
Born: February 22, 1948
Died: September 26, 2024
Age: 76
Place of birth: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Gender: Male
Adult content flag: No
Career span: 1952 - 2024
Years active: 73
Average TMDB rating: 6.51
Wikidata: Q955818
Also known as
John David Ashton • جان اشتون
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.
Photos
Movies
Movie credits linked with John Ashton.
All Happy Families
as Roy Landry
2024 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
as Chief John Taggart
2024 Movie
BRATS
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024 Movie
Lonesome Soldier
as Macroberts
2023 Movie
Death in Texas
as Asher
2022 Movie
American Christmas
as Rob
2019 Movie
Making a Deal with the Devil
as FBI Director
2019 Movie
The Last Big Save
as Joseph Bird Sr.
2019 Movie
Once Upon a River
2019 Movie
The Joke Thief
as Joseph Rogers
2018 Movie
Uncle John
as Uncle John
2015 Movie
A Letter to Dad
as Mike Donahue
2009 Movie
Middle Men
as Morgan
2009 Movie
Gone Baby Gone
as Nick Poole
2007 Movie
Reign of the Gargoyles
as Commander Latham
2007 Movie
Bill's Gun Shop
as Bill Voight
2001 Movie
Escape from Alaska
as Kemp
1999 Movie
Instinct
as Guard Dacks
1999 Movie
The Day Lincoln Was Shot
as Ulysses S. Grant
1998 Movie
Meet the Deedles
as Capt. Douglas Pine
1998 Movie
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
as Peter Bryant
1997 Movie
Fast Money
as Lt. Diego
1996 Movie
For Which He Stands
as District Attorney
1996 Movie
The Shooter
as Alex Reed
1995 Movie
Series
Series credits linked with John Ashton.
The Finder
as Franklin Sherman • 1 eps
2012 Series
Fairly Legal
as Lou Fisher • 1 eps
2011 Series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Alan Fewkes • 1 eps
1999 Series
Judging Amy
as Dashiel Purdue • 1 eps
1999 Series
Fantasy Island
as Bobby • 1 eps
1998 Series
King of the Hill
as Instructor (voice) • 1 eps
1997 Series
JAG
as Brian Turque • 2 eps
1995 Series
The Tommyknockers
as Butch Duggan • 2 eps
1993 Series
A Touch of Frost
as Ridley • 1 eps
1992 Series
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1 eps
1992 Series
Love, Lies and Murder
as Carrothers • 2 eps
1991 Series
Hardball
as Charlie Battles • 18 eps
1989 Series
I Know My First Name Is Steven
as Del Stayner • 2 eps
1989 Series
The Deliberate Stranger
as Det. Roger Dunn • 2 eps
1986 Series
The Twilight Zone
as Chief Brady Simmons (segment "Chameleon") • 1 eps
1985 Series
A Death in California
as Bob Swalwell • 2 eps
1985 Series
The A-Team
as Cactus Jack Slater • 1 eps
1983 Series
Police Squad!
1 eps
1982 Series
Dallas
as Willie Joe Garr • 6 eps
1978 Series
Code R
as Karl • 1 eps
1977 Series
Starsky & Hutch
2 eps
1975 Series
Kojak
as Cullen • 1 eps
1973 Series
Police Story
1 eps
1973 Series
M*A*S*H
1 eps
1972 Series