After a battle with cancer, John Ashton passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. With a Hollywood career spanning over 50 years, Ashton leaves behind a cherished legacy that fans will remember for years to come.
Ashton’s representative, Alan Somers, shared the news of his passing with TMZ. “John leaves a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sisters, extended family, and all who loved him,” Somers said. “John’s impact will be remembered and celebrated for generations.” The family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Pathways Hospice Care.
Ashton, born in 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts, is best known for his role as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop films. He began his acting career on stage at age 14, appearing in a production of Othello, and made his film debut in 1973 with An Eye for an Eye as Sergeant Matthews.
His portrayal of Taggart in Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and its 1987 sequel became iconic. Ashton also starred in Some Kind of Wonderful and Midnight Run, appearing in over 200 stage, TV, and film productions throughout his career.
Fans recently saw Ashton reprise his role as Chief John Taggart in the 2024 film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in on social media. One fan remarked, “We got to see him one more time on screen, and that’s all we can ask for. Rest in peace.” Another wrote, “RIP to a great actor. Hopefully, he’ll receive some well-deserved tributes this week to honor his memory and contributions to acting.”
Overall, fans expressed their sadness at the loss, with one user commenting, “I’m so sorry to hear that John Ashton has passed away. Losing someone at 76 is still a shock and a tragedy.”