“Beverly Hills Cop” actor was 76

John Ashton, known for his role as John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, died Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, his manager Alan Somers confirmed diversity. He was 76.

Ashton played Detective Sergeant John Taggart alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold in the first two installments of the Beverly Hills Cop series. He reprized his role in 2024’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” in which his character is now the police chief.

John David Ashton was born on February 22, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Edward Richard Ashton, Sr. and Eva May (Wells) Ashton. He grew up in Enfield, Connecticut and graduated from Enfield High School. After attending Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio for two years, he transferred to the University of Southern California and graduated with a BA in Theater Studies.

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