The 76-year-old renowned character actor John Ashton has passed away. He was most recognized for playing Detective John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop series. From Fort Collins, Colorado, where Ashton breathed his last on Thursday, his family acknowledged his departure. Heartbroken fans and the entertainment business, Alan Somers, his manager, broke the news.
Despite not having been given a cause of death, Ashton left a lasting impact in the profession over his more than 50 years of work. Ashton’s skill was constantly evident on large and small screens. From his iconic appearances in Midnight Run to Gone Baby Gone.
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The Unforgettable Role of John Ashton in Beverly Hills Cop
Even though Ashton starred in several TV shows and movies, his most well-known role is still that of the tough yet endearing Detective John Taggart in Beverly Hills Cop. Ashton collaborated with Judge Reinhold’s Billy Rosewood and Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley to form one of the most adored cinematic trios ever.
In the 1984 original, audiences were treated to heartfelt and hilarious moments as John Ashton’s bookish character, Taggart. Gradually became entangled in Foley’s anarchic ways of solving crimes. In addition to playing the same part in the follow-up, he made a very pleasant surprise appearance in the Netflix revival Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Which debuted earlier this year.
A Versatile Talent: From Comedy to Drama
The range of John Ashton’s acting abilities went much beyond Beverly Hills Cop. Ashton made a strong impression as a darker, more nuanced character in the buddy comedy Midnight Run from 1988. In this movie, Ashton played a rival bounty hunter who pursues Charles Grodin’s persona with Robert De Niro. Scenes featuring Ashton and De Niro’s connection were gripping, with Ashton’s razor-sharp wit and perfect timing taking center stage.
Ashton reportedly told Collider about an unforgettable experience he had during his audition with De Niro: “He tossed matches on the floor, and I just looked him dead in the eye and yelled, ‘F— you.'” He chose me, I subsequently learned, because I dared to challenge him.
A Lasting Legacy
Although Ashton’s death has left a vacuum in the entertainment business, his extensive collection of work will still serve as an inspiration to upcoming performers and directors. He had a unique talent, able to switch between tough authority figures, hilarious sidekicks, and morally gray characters with ease.
He leaves behind two daughters, three stepchildren, a grandchild, two sisters, and a brother in addition to his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye.
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