John Ashton leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances across film and TV.
John Ashton, the actor recognized for his portrayal of John Taggart in the iconic ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ series, has passed away at the age of 76. His manager, Alan Somers, confirmed that Ashton succumbed to cancer on Thursday after a short but courageous fight. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and raised in Enfield, Connecticut, Ashton pursued his passion for the arts, studying theater at the University of Southern California before embarking on a career that would span over five decades. As we reflect on his legacy, let's celebrate some of his best performances.
‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ a classic buddy cop action-comedy directed by Martin Brest, features Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a sharp-witted Detroit detective who travels to Beverly Hills, California, to investigate the murder of his close friend. John Ashton took on the role of Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the first two films of the series, released in 1984 and 1987. After a long hiatus, Ashton reprised his beloved character in the 2024 sequel, ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,’ where Taggart returns as a police chief.
(Credit: Times of India)
‘Little Big League’ is a family sports film that tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who unexpectedly becomes the owner and manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Directed by Andrew Scheinman in his sole directorial project, the movie features John Ashton in the role of Mac Macnally, the team's pitching coach. The film garnered praise for being a refreshing family movie that avoids predictable tropes and respects its audience without oversimplifying the narrative.
(Credit: IMDb)
‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ is a teen romantic drama directed by Howard Deutch, starring Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Lea Thompson. Written by John Hughes, this film is one of his many popular teen dramas from the 1980s. The story revolves around blue-collar teen Keith, who finally lands a date with Amanda, the girl he's always admired. Meanwhile, her vengeful ex-boyfriend schemes against Keith, while Keith's tomboy best friend Watts realizes she has feelings for Keith. John Ashton appears in the film as Cliff Nelson, adding to the rich dynamic of the cast.
(Credit: IMDb)
‘Gone Baby Gone’ is a neo-noir crime thriller marking Ben Affleck's directorial debut. The film stars Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan as two Boston private investigators tasked with finding a young girl who has been abducted from her single mother's apartment in Dorchester. John Ashton takes on the role of Detective Nick Poole.
(Credit: IMDb)
‘She’s Having a Baby’ is a romantic comedy written and directed by John Hughes, featuring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern. The film follows the journey of a young newlywed couple as they navigate the ups and downs of married life while dealing with the pressures from their families. John Ashton delivered a memorable performance in the film, playing the role of Ken, adding depth to the ensemble cast.
