Actor John Ashton, renowned for his portrayal of John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop series, has passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. His manager, Alan Somers, confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ on Sunday, September 29.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will be cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren, and his siblings, along with his extended family and all who knew him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations,” Somers stated.
Ashton appeared alongside Eddie Murphy in three of the four Beverly Hills Cop films, including the recent Netflix sequel, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, released earlier this year, where he played the tough detective Taggart. Over his more than 50-year career in entertainment, Ashton was credited with over 200 stage, film, and television productions. His notable works include Midnight Run with Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, John Hughes’ Some Kind of Wonderful featuring Eric Stoltz, and Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone alongside Casey Affleck, as well as appearances in the iconic television series MASH.*
In his memory, Ashton’s family has requested that all donations be made to Pathways Hospice Care, according to TMZ.