The best actor, John Ashton, known for his role as gruff Sgt. John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cops,” died on Thursday, September 26 in Fort Collins, Colorado, at the age of 76.
His death was confirmed by his publicist, Alan Somers, after battling cancer.
A statement said, “John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
John was born on 22 Feb 1948 in Springfield, Massachusettes. He grew up in Enfield, Connecticut. He completed his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Southern California School of Theatre.
John is best known for his role as the straight-laced detective Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cops,” whose partner is laidback detective Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), and they both help Eddie Murphy’s character Axel Foley as a fast, young officer from Deriot.
Taggart and Rosewood were first cast for minor roles in the film, but later, the film director Martin Brest, impressed by the Three Men’s chemistry, Ashton said in a podcast, “We just started developing a chemistry, and Marty saw it and loved it, and just kept letting us ad lib and run with scenes.”
Although he has completed his acting career for more than 50 years while appearing in more than 200 stage, film, and television productions.
He appeared in all four instalments of the franchise till the original film was released in 1984, concluding with Beverly Hills Cop: Aexl F, which was released earlier this year. Mr Aston said in an interview, “Going back to this one like a family reunion—we just felt right back to it.”
In addition to his work in Brigham Hill’s crop series, Eston stared in notable flames such as Midnight Run (1988), Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Instinct, Uncle John, All Happy Families, Once Upon a River, She’s Having a Baby, and Little Big League (1994).
His television credits include a role on sources like Dallas, Colombo, Hardball, The Twilight Zone, The A-team, East Enders, Brookside, Law and Order: Special Victim Unit Police Squad, etc.
In the 2020 conversation with Movie Junk, Mr. Ashton said he just opened and is far from done with Hollywood. He also said, “I enjoy my work When someone asks me when you’re going to retire?, I said, When I work, I love what I do, and when I’m not working, I play golf, so what the hell am I going to return to? I am not going to retire. I am never returning.”
Some said, “John devoted his career to honouring his craft and bringing characters to life on the screen; his presence will be greatly missed.”
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sister, his extended family and all who loved him John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
His family requests any donation in Ashton’s Memory be made to Pathways of Hospice Care.
“Beverly Hills Cops” famous character John Ashton as ‘Taggart; died on 76 after battling with Cancer
