Beloved character actor John Ashton has passed away at the age of 76, according to confirmed reports. The versatile star, known for his memorable roles in the Beverly Hills Cop series and Midnight Run, had a career that spanned over five decades. Ashton died on Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, following a brief struggle with cancer.
News of Ashton's death was announced by a representative, who shared the following statement: “John was a devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather, deeply cherished by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family, and all who loved him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
Ashton was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on February 22, 1948, to Edward Richard Ashton Sr. and Eva May Ashton. He attended Enfield High School and Ohio's Defiance College before graduating with a BA in Theatre Studies from USC's School of Theatre. His early career included roles on television shows like Dallas, Kojak, M*A*S*H, and Starsky & Hutch, as well as films such as Larry Brown's 1973 horror The Psychopath and Carl Reiner's Oh, God!.
Ashton's breakthrough role came as Chief John Taggart in the 1984 Eddie Murphy action comedy Beverly Hills Cop. His portrayal of the irascible yet principled Taggart was a perfect counterpoint to Murphy's Axel Foley and Judge Reinhold's Detective Billy Rosewood. The character's return in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F earlier this year was warmly received, reminding fans of the thrill of seeing Ashton wield a shotgun once more.
Other notable performances include his role as Eric Stoltz's father in John Hughes' 1987 teen classic Some Kind Of Wonderful, where he subverted the 'overbearing dad' trope. In 1988, he starred opposite Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin as the foul-mouthed bounty hunter Marvin Dorfler in Midnight Run. Throughout the 90s and 00s, Ashton played various authoritative roles, from a pitching coach (Little Big League) to a park ranger (Meet The Deedles) and a gruff detective (Gone Baby Gone).
In recent years, Ashton continued to appear in films such as Lonesome Soldier, All Happy Families, and Death In Texas. His earlier genre films like The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai In The Fifth Dimension, Instinct, and The Shooter remain a topic of discussion among fans. Ashton is remembered for his impeccable comic timing, strong work ethic, and piercing on-screen looks. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, children Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton, stepchildren Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio, and Ashley Hoye, and grandson Henry.
