John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ franchise’s grumpy Detective Taggart, dies at 76
As a follower, I deeply mourn the loss of John Ashton, a talented actor whose career spanned over four decades and touched the hearts of millions through his memorable roles. I remember him best as Detective John Taggart from the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, a character he brought to life with such grit and humor.
Veteran actor John Ashton, famously recognized for his role as grumpy Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series, has passed away.
On Thursday, Ashton passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado, according to a family statement released to The Times and shared by his manager, Alan Somers. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. He was 76 years old.
I had the pleasure of knowing John, a man whose love for his family was truly remarkable. He was a devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather, and he will be sorely missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
40 years after the initial release of “Beverly Hills Cop” in 1984, I had the pleasure of witnessing the Netflix premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” a reunion for the ages with Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. Regrettably, just two months later, our beloved Ashton, a Massachusetts native, joined the cast in the great beyond.
In the initial “Beverly Hills Cop,” directed by Martin Brest, we follow the character Axel Foley, a Detroit detective, as he tackles a murder mystery in glamorous Beverly Hills. He manages this with the initial resistance of Taggart, played by Ashton, and Billy Rosewood, portrayed by Judge Reinhold.
Detective Taggart, a veteran officer who strictly follows the rules, initially has a tumultuous relationship with Axel. In the movie “Beverly Hills Cop,” he expresses skepticism towards Axel by saying, “We’re usually more inclined to trust an influential local businessman rather than a rough-talking outsider like you.
Over time, the disputes between Taggart and Axel subsided, resulting in a triumphant rescue operation at the end of the movie, setting the stage for additional “Beverly Hills Cop” movies in the future. Three years following the initial release, Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, and Renée Blondet worked together again in “Beverly Hills Cop II.” However, Judge Reinhold was absent from “Beverly Hills Cop III,” which premiered in 1994.
By July 2024, Netflix brought back the movie series and gathered the original trio for the film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F – The Revival.
During the movie’s debut, Ashton shared with HeyUGuys that reuniting felt remarkably like returning home or attending a family gathering. He added that it was incredibly effortless.
Prior to his role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Ashton had already made a name for himself in police-focused productions, starring in shows such as “Kojak,” “Columbo,” “Starsky & Hutch” during the 1970s. His television resume also boasts roles on “M*A*S*H,” “Dallas,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Brookside,” and “Hardball.
Besides these, Ashton appeared in several movies such as “An Eye for an Eye,” “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League,” and “Some Kind of Wonderful.” There were more films in his acting repertoire too.
John David Ashton hails from Springfield, Mass, born on February 22, 1948. He earned his degree from USC, majoring in theater arts. Beyond being a renowned actor, Ashton was also an ardent bookworm, golf devotee, supporter of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, and a devoted family man.
“Family was paramount to John,” his loved ones said.
He leaves behind his spouse, Robin Hoye, as well as his children Michelle and Michael, along with stepchildren Courtney, Lindsay, and Ashley. Additionally, he has a grandchild named Henry, and siblings Sharon Ann Ashton, Linda Jean, and Edward.
Instead of waiting for a future memorial service, Ashton’s loved ones invite contributions in his honor to Pathways Hospice Care, located in Fort Collins.
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2024-09-30 22:01