Many knew him from the iconic role of John Taggart (Image: CBS via Getty Images)
actor John Ashton, known for his iconic role as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ films, has passed away at 76, leaving fans and colleagues to pay their respects.
The celebrated actor, who graced the big screen alongside Eddie Murphy, died “peacefully” at his home on 26 September, with his death confirmed to TMZ by a representative. Ashton breathed his last in Ft.Collins, Colorado.
Tributes have flooded in for the star, with one fan saying: “Rest In Peace the great John Ashton, will never not laugh at the scene in Beverley Hills Cop 2, when he accidentally falls in the pool.”
Another added: “R.i.P john Ashton some of his many roles Beverly Hills cop midnight run the A team columbo Trapped in paradise Dallas law and order special victims unit great actor my condolences to is family and friends. Will be missed.”
Hailing from Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashton embarked on his acting career after completing his studies at the University of Southern California School of Theatre.
His silver screen debut came with the 1973 horror movie ‘The Psychopath’, in which he played Sgt. Matthews, reports .
John Ashton has died at the age of 76 as tributes have flooded in (Image: BANG Showbiz.)
This was followed by roles in ‘Honky Tonk Freeway’ and ‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension’, but it was in 1984 that Ashton nabbed his memorable part in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ series.
Following the success of the franchise’s second film in 1987, Ashton shared the set with Robert De Niro in ‘Midnight Run’ and appeared as an American director in ‘I Want to Go Home’. Recently, he featured in 2007’s ‘Gone Baby Gone’ and 2016’s ‘Uncle John’, and delighted fans with a reprisal of his role as Taggart in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ this year.
Ashton had recently completed filming for ‘Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink 2′, and ‘Hot Bath, Stiff Drink, an’ a Close Shave’ was in post-production at his death. The revered figure also had a vast TV presence, having starred in shows such as ‘Hardball’ and ‘Dallas’.
He starred alongside Murphy in the iconic 80s franchise (Image: CBS via Getty Images)
His compelling portrayal of the father in the true-crime biopic ‘I Know My First Name Is Steven’ is notably etched in television history.
John’s final television roles included appearances in ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ in 2009 and ‘The Finder’ in 2012. Away from the spotlight, John was married to Victoria Marie Runn from 1968 until their divorce in 1970.
Subsequently, he exchanged vows with Bridget Baker-Ashton in 1976, a marriage that endured until 2001. He fathered one child in each of his marriages.