1948-02-22 Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
John David Ashton 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.
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BRATS | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 2024-06-07 |
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All Happy Families | Roy Landry | 2024-09-20 |
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Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F | Chief John Taggart | 2024-06-20 |
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Lonesome Soldier | Macroberts | 2023-11-03 |
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Death in Texas | Asher | 2022-10-06 |
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Making a Deal with the Devil | FBI Director | 2019-06-20 |
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The Last Big Save | Joseph Bird Sr. | 2019-05-18 |
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American Christmas | Rob | 2019-11-04 |
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Once Upon a River | 2019-05-10 | |
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The Joke Thief | Joseph Rogers | 2018-04-16 |
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Uncle John | Uncle John | 2015-03-16 |
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A Letter to Dad | Mike Donahue | 2009-07-27 |
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Middle Men | Morgan | 2009-05-17 |
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Gone Baby Gone | Det. Nick Poole | 2007-09-18 |
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Reign of the Gargoyles | Commander Latham | 2007-03-24 |
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Escape from Alaska | Kemp | 1999-07-28 |
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Instinct | Guard Dacks | 1999-06-04 |
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The Day Lincoln Was Shot | Ulysses S. Grant | 1998-04-12 |
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Meet the Deedles | Capt. Douglas Pine | 1998-03-27 |
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Little Girls in Pretty Boxes | Peter Bryant | 1997-01-18 |
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For Which He Stands | District Attorney | 1996-05-17 |
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Fast Money | Lt. Diego | 1996-08-13 |
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Condition Red | Deputy Warden | 1995-12-08 |
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The Shooter | Alex Reed | 1995-12-15 |
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Trapped in Paradise | Ed Dawson | 1994-12-02 |
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Little Big League | Mac MacNally | 1994-06-29 |
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Dirty Work | Eddie Ryan | 1992-07-22 |
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Curly Sue | Frank Arnold | 1991-10-25 |
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I Want to Go Home | Harry Dempsey | 1989-09-27 |
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She's Having a Baby | Ken | 1988-02-05 |
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Midnight Run | Marvin Dorfler, Headhunter | 1988-07-20 |
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Some Kind of Wonderful | Cliff Nelson | 1987-02-27 |
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Beverly Hills Cop II | John Taggart | 1987-05-18 |
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King Kong Lives | Lt. Col. R.T. Nevitt | 1986-12-16 |
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Last Resort | Phil Cocoran | 1986-03-31 |
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The Deliberate Stranger | Det. Roger Dunn | 1986-05-04 |
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The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension | Highway Patrolman | 1984-08-10 |
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Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link | Cash Hunt | 1984-06-27 |
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Beverly Hills Cop | Sgt. Taggart | 1984-12-05 |
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Honky Tonk Freeway | Otto Kemper | 1981-08-21 |
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Elvis and the Beauty Queen | Jake | 1981-03-01 |
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Borderline | Charlie Monroe | 1980-12-19 |
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Lawman Without a Gun | 1st State Trooper | 1979-05-30 |
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Breaking Away | Mike's Brother | 1979-05-24 |
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The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands | Orville | 1978-02-28 |
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Oh, God! | Police Officer (uncredited) | 1977-10-07 |
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Cat Murkil and the Silks | Coach Larkin | 1976-07-01 |
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My Father's House | Sergeant | 1975-06-01 |
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Psycho Sisters | Brock | 1974-12-25 |
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An Eye for an Eye | Sgt. Matthews | 1973-09-28 |
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Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink 2 | Judge Nathan Rivers |
