Beverly Hills Cop Alum John Ashton Has Passed On

John Ashton, a “Beverly Hills Cop” alum, has passed away!

According to the actor’s spokesman, Ashton was a beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He would be much missed by everyone who knew him. Ashton’s spokesman further stated that he leaves a legacy of love, dedication, and service. 

His wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sisters, extended family, and everyone who loved him will cherish his memory forever. John Ashton appeared as Los Angeles Police Detective Sergeant John Taggart in four “Beverly Hills Cop comedies,” the most recent of which was released on Netflix earlier this year.

His roles in “Midnight Run,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Curly Sue,” “Little Big League,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Middle Men,” and “Once Upon a River” also propelled him to wide acclaim.

What Was John Ashton’s Cause Of Death?

Unfortunately, John Ashton, a screen veteran, passed away after battling with cancer. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1948, the USC School of Theatre alum’s career began in earnest in the 1970s. He began acting in smaller roles in both films and television series. 

He has previously appeared as a guest on episodes such as “Kojak,” “Columbo,” “Barnaby Jones,” and “Phyllis.” “Psychopath,” “Breaking Away,” and “Borderline” were among the films in which he first appeared.

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Throughout his career, John Ashton became renowned for portraying police enforcement officials. His portrayal of “Beverly Hills Cop’s” John Taggart ranked among the best. Ashton debuted as the comically grumpy, seasoned cop in the Eddie Murphy-led series’ initial installment (one of the best 1980s movies), which came out in 1984. 

The actor reprised Taggart in the 1987 sequel. However, he did not appear in the 1994 threequel, much to the disappointment of fans.

What Was John Ashton’s Age At The Time Of His Death?

Ashton was 76 at the time of his death. Only this year, however, did the late actor reprise his role as Taggart in the 2024 film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”, which was enthusiastically watched by Netflix subscribers.

He had the opportunity to engage with CinemaBlend about the film last summer. There, he shared the thrill of collaborating with co-stars Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold once again.

Since John Ashton had just finished a significant press tour a few months prior, it is a bit unbelievable to discover that he is gone. Nevertheless, the late actor experienced firsthand the enthusiasm many fans had for “Axel F,’ which received positive reviews during that tour.

Why Was John Ashton Not In Beverly Hills Cop 3?

“Beverly Hills Cop III” is widely seen as a significant failure, particularly given the success of its predecessors. Released during a low period in Eddie Murphy’s filmography, the film was too similar to the prior two and far too distinct. 

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This resulted in various ill-fitting selections, including an arguably more child-friendly tone.

While the movie’s actors and crew have not been particularly open regarding the changes that occurred during pre-production, it is thought that John Ashton was forced to resign from the project due to scheduling difficulties caused by its many delays. 

“Beverly Hills Cop III” dismisses the absence of John Ashton by stating that Taggart has retired and relocated to Phoenix. 

As a result, the film lacked the push-and-pull the actor supplied, allowing Eddie Murphy’s character to run wild unchallenged. This lack of stakes revealed itself in another significant aspect, lowering the quality of the third “Beverly Hills Cop.”

What Was John Ashton’s Net Worth?

John Ashton, best known for his roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Midnight Run,” had an estimated net worth of $3 million. His career extended over five decades, which included appearances in several films, television shows, and theater productions.

In 1989, he was appointed CEO of Town Crier Productions, LLC, a business Ashton most certainly utilized to oversee his various entertainment endeavors. His advancement to this executive level allowed him to handle production-related tasks, broadening his impact in the film industry beyond performing.

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Following a successful acting career, John Ashton left the entertainment industry in 2007 to focus on personal ventures and smaller endeavors. Since then, he has made infrequent film and television appearances, but his retirement marked a departure from regular high-profile roles.

In 2010, he took on a new job as a Professional Consultant, harnessing his decades of Hollywood experience to provide advice on film and television productions.

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