John Ashton, best known for his starring role in the Beverly Hills Cop movies, passed away at 76. According to a statement from his manager, shared with People, Ashton died on September 26 in Ft. Collins, Colorado, after a battle with cancer. Ashton was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1948 and started his acting career in theater, touring with companies across the US and UK before moving to Los Angeles to pursue television. Over several decades, Ashton made appearances in iconic TV shows, including Kojak, Columbo, Police Story, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Tracey Ullman Show, M*A*S*H and Starsky & Hutch. He also took on a recurring role in Dallas where he portrayed the character of Willie Joe Garr.
His breakout role came in 1984 with action-comedy Beverely Cop films where he played police officer John Taggart alongside Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley. He continued his role in the rest of franchise films such as 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II and, most recently, 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. He didn’t appear in the 1994 Beverly Hills Cop III.
Ashton also starred in 1988’s Midnight Run alongside Robert De Niro, playing a role of a rival bounty hunter to De Niro’s Jack Walsh. Throughout his career, the late actor appeared in numerous films like I Want to Go Home, Little Big League, Trapped in Paradise, In the Living Years, Fast Money, Meet the Deedles, Instinct, Sweet Deadly Dreams, Middle Men, Uncle John, and many others.
Ashton was also a passionate golfer who was “always trying new techniques to improve his game and made sure he acquired the latest and most up-to-date equipment,” according to his obituary as quoted by People. Most recently, he co-hosted The Ashton and Davis Show on 870 ESPN Radio in Colorado.
Ashton’s representative Alan Somers told TMZ, “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, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
Ashton is survived by his wife, Robin Hoye, with whom he shared 24 years of marriage, two children, three stepchildren, a grandson, two sisters and a brother. His family has requested that any donations be made to Pathways Hospice Care in Colorado, reported TMZ
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